Keywords:
Ear / Nose / Throat, Radiation physics, CT, Radiation safety, Diagnostic procedure, Dosimetric comparison
Authors:
G. Tosi, I. Divenuto, G. Vatteroni, P. Ragucci, S. Imparato, L. Balzarini; Milan/IT
DOI:
10.26044/ecr2019/C-1826
Aims and objectives
Multidector helical computed tomography (MDCT) is considered the reference exam for imaging of inflammatory disease in the paranasal sinuses thanks to its high spatial resolution.
It is performed to rule out sinusitis (both acute and chronic),
to differentiate mucosal disease patterns and to plan surgery.
Because paranasal imaging is often performed in young patients without life-limiting disease and repetitive exams may be required,
radiation dose is of special concern.
According to ALARA principle different approaches have been proposed to reduce radiation exposure such as orbital bismuth shielding to decrease direct radiation exposure of the eye lens or tube voltage and current reduction.
Low –KV imaging is another strategy to effectively reduce dose whereas tin filtration has been recently introduced to effectively lower the dose.
The aim of this preliminary study was to compare image quality and radiation exposure using two acquisition protocols (low-dose vs ultra-low-dose) for maxillofacial CT,
in a small group of patients.