Open AccessEffect of Lowering Tube Potential and Increase Iodine Concentration of Contrast Medium on Radiation Dose and Image Quality in Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography Procedure: A Phantom Study
Author(s) -
J. E. Ngaile,
P. Msaki,
Evarist M Kahuluda,
Furaha Chuma,
Jerome M. Mwimanzi,
Ahmed Jusabani
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
tanzania journal of science/tanzania journal of science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2507-7961
pISSN - 0856-1761
DOI - 10.4314/tjs.v47i3.29
Subject(s) - imaging phantom , nuclear medicine , iodine , image quality , contrast medium , medicine , radiation dose , iodinated contrast , angiography , tomography , scanner , effective dose (radiation) , radiology , computed tomography , materials science , optics , physics , artificial intelligence , computer science , metallurgy , image (mathematics)
The aim of the study was to examine the effect of lowering tube potential and increase iodine concentration on image quality and radiation dose in computed tomography pulmonary angiography procedure. The pulmonary arteries were simulated by three syringes. The syringes were filled with 1:10 diluted solutions of 300 mg, 350 mg and 370 mg of iodine per millilitre concentration in three water-filled phantoms simulating thin, intermediate and thick patients. The phantoms were scanned at 80 kVp, 110 kVp and 130 kVp and 0.6 second rotation time using a 16 slice computed tomography (CT) scanner. The tube current was either fixed at 80, 100, 200, 250 and 300 mA or automatically adjusted with quality reference tube current-time product (mAsQR). In comparison with 130 kVp, images acquired at 80 kVp and 110 kVp, respectively, showed 76.2% to 99% and 19% to 26% enhancement in CT attenuation of iodinated contrast material. A volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) reduction by 35.3% was attained in small phantom with the use of 80 kVp, while in the medium phantom, a CTDIvol reduction by 29.9% was attained with the use of 110 kVp instead of 130 kVp. In light of the above, lowering tube potential and increase iodinated CM could substantially reduce the dose to small-sized adults and children.
Keywords: Angiography; Computed tomography; Low tube potential; Iodinated contrast medium; Radiation dose