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Low kilovoltage cardiac dual-source CT: attenuation, noise, and radiation dose.

Low kilovoltage cardiac dual-source CT: attenuation, noise, and radiation dose.

Authors :
Leschka S
Stolzmann P
Schmid FT
Scheffel H
Stinn B
Marincek B
Alkadhi H
Wildermuth S
Leschka, Sebastian
Stolzmann, Paul
Schmid, Florian T
Scheffel, Hans
Stinn, Bjoern
Marincek, Borut
Alkadhi, Hatem
Wildermuth, Simon
Source :
European Radiology; Sep2008, Vol. 18 Issue 9, p1809-1817, 9p
Publication Year :
2008

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of low kilovoltage dual-source computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) on qualitative and quantitative image quality parameters and radiation dose. Dual-source CTCA with retrospective ECG gating was performed in 80 consecutive patients of normal weight. Forty were examined with a standard protocol (120 kV/330mAs), 20 were examined at 100 kV/330mAs, and 20 at 100 kV/220mAs. Two blinded observers independently assessed image quality of each coronary segment and measured the image parameters noise, attenuation, and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). The effective radiation dose was calculated using CT dose volume index and the dose-length product. Diagnostic image quality was obtained in 99% of all coronary segments (1,127/1,140) without significant differences among the protocols. Image noise, attenuation, and CNR were significantly higher for 100 kV/330mAs (26 +/- 3 HU, 549 +/- 62 HU, 25.5 +/- 3.2; each P < 0.01) and 100 kV/220mAs (27 +/- 2 HU, 560 +/- 43 HU, 25.0 +/- 2.2; each P < 0.01) when compared to the 120-kV protocol (21 +/- 2 HU, 317 +/- 28 HU, 20.6 +/- 1.7). There was no significant difference between the two 100-kV protocols. Estimated effective radiation dose of the 120-kV protocol (8.9 +/- 1.2 mSv) was significantly higher than the 100 kV/330mAs (6.7 +/- 0.8 mSv, P < 0.01) or 100 kV/220mAs (4.4 +/- 0.6 mSv, P < 0.001) protocols. Dual-source CTCA with 100 kV is feasible in patients of normal weight, results in a diagnostic image quality with a higher CNR, and at the same time significantly reduces the radiation dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
09387994
Volume :
18
Issue :
9
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
European Radiology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
105552001
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-008-0966-1