Radiation exposure in multi-slice versus single-slice spiral CT: results of a nationwide survey

Abstract

Multi-slice (MS) technology increases the efficacy of CT procedures and offers new promising applications. The expanding use of MSCT, however, may result in an increase in both frequency of procedures and levels of patient exposure. It was, therefore, the aim of this study to gain an overview of MSCT examinations conducted in Germany in 2001. All MSCT facilities were requested to provide information about 14 standard examinations with respect to scan parameters and frequency. Based on this data, dosimetric quantities were estimated using an experimentally validated formalism. Results are compared with those of a previous survey for single-slice (SS) spiral CT scanners. According to the data provided for 39 dual- and 73 quad-slice systems, the average annual number of patients examined at MSCT is markedly higher than that examined at SSCT scanners (5500 vs 3500). The average effective dose to patients was changed from 7.4 mSv at single-slice to 5.5 mSv and 8.1 mSv at dual- and quad-slice scanners, respectively. There is a considerable potential for dose reduction at quad-slice systems by an optimisation of scan protocols and better education of the personnel. To avoid an increase in the collective effective dose from CT procedures, a clear medical justification is required in each case.

Measurements of the dose delivered during CT exams using AAPM Task Group Report No. 111

“…The effective doses calculated were $6.02\pm 0.52\hspace{0.17em}$ mSv for chest CT and $3.69\pm 0.75\hspace{0.17em}$ for prostate CT scan. The published values are between 5 and 8 mSv for chest localization and between 6 and 9 mSv for pelvis CT 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 . The effective doses calculated during this work are below the international published values, which reveals good practice.…”

“…These conversion coefficients are derived from mathematical phantoms using Monte Carlo modeling (12) . The results obtained were compared with international references 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 …”

Acute Intracranial Hemorrhage in CT: Benefits of Sinogram-Affirmed Iterative Reconstruction Techniques

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6] Because of the potential radiation risk through ionizing radiation and because CT is frequently in use for patients with head trauma, every effort should be made to keep the dose as low as reasonably achievable. Many approaches to reduce patient dose have been investigated including routine use of automated exposure control software, and reduction of tube current and tube potential.…”

Multiphase CT Angiography versus Single-Phase CT Angiography: Comparison of Image Quality and Radiation Dose

“…10 Compared with the dose used for single-detector-row CT, thin-section, multidetector CT (MDCT) requires an increased radiation dose for both CTA and PCT examinations. [11][12][13] To attain an "as low as reasonably achievable radiation dose," many techniques have been tried to optimize radiation-dose levels in MDCT CTA. Currently, most commercialized CT scanners provide axial scanning in maximum z-axis coverage of 40-mm (2.5 mm ϫ 16) sections; thin-thickness reconstruction modes can be scanned in 20-mm (0.625 mm ϫ 32) sections.…”