Purpose
AIM
To assess the impact of different scanning protocols on radiation dose and image quality for pediatric coronary computed tomography.
Methods and Materials
METHODS
148 children underwent coronary computed tomography after arterial switch operation from November 2012 to March 2014.
Scans were done using two different scanner models without difference in scanning and image reconstruction parameters: Lightspeed VCT and Discovery HD750,
64-slice from GE Healthcare.
Two consecutive changes in scanning protocols were performed: 1) the use of adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) instead of filtered back projection (FBP) for image reconstruction; 2) the optimization of scan acquisition parameters (current and tube voltage reduction).
Premedication (beta-blocker) was used for...
Results
Patients were divided in three age groups: 0-4,
5-7 and 8-18 years. After adjustment for scan settings,
median ED decreased by 59%(3mSv,
IQR 2.8-4.2),
82%(0.9mSv,
IQR 0.6-2.6) and 85% (0.8mSv,
IQR 0.5-0.9) for 0-4,
5-7 and 8-18 years age groups (p< 0.05),
respectively.
The prospective protocol (PULSE) was used in 40% of children.
The reduction in radiation dose was not associated to reduction in diagnostic image quality.
Conclusion
Coronary CT can be obtained at very low radiation doses in pediatric patients using ASIR and prospective ECG-triggered acquisition with optimized scan parameters.
