Rationale and Objectives
We aimed to evaluate whether implementation of a low-dose CT-guided lung biopsy protocol, with the support of individual radiologists in the section, would lead to immediate and sustained decreases in radiation dose associated with CT-guided lung biopsies.
Materials and Methods
A low-dose CT-guided lung biopsy protocol was developed with modifications of kilovoltage peak (kVp), milliamperes (mA), and scan coverage. 413 CT guided lung biopsies were evaluated over a three-year period beginning in 2009, 175 performed with a standard protocol prior to development of a low dose protocol and 238 performed with a low dose protocol. The dose-length product (DLP) was recorded for each lung biopsy and retrospectively compared between the two protocols. Individual radiologist level DLPs were also compared before and after the protocol change.
Results
The mean biopsy dose decreased 64.4% with the low dose protocol (113.8 mGy-cm versus 319.7 mGy-cm; p <0.001). This decrease in radiation dose persisted throughout the entire 18 months evaluated following the protocol change. After the protocol change, each attending radiologist demonstrated a decrease in administered radiation dose. The diagnostic outcome rate and complication rate were unchanged over the interval.
Conclusion
Implementation of a low-dose CT-guided lung biopsy protocol resulted in an immediate reduction in patient radiation dose that was seen with all attending radiologists and persisted for at least 18 months. Such an intervention may be considered at other institutions wishing to reduce patient doses.