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
Methods and materials
Twenty patients (median age 47,
range 32-60 years) were randomly selected for an ultra-low-dose protocol,
instead of a low-dose protocol.
All patients signed a written informed consent before image acquisition.
Scans were performed with a CT General Electric Revolution EVO,
64 slices.
Technical parameters used in the standard low-dose protocol were: 100 kV,
50 mA,
64x0.625 mm slice collimation; while the ultra-low-dose protocol was set as follows: 80 kV,
50 mA,
64x0.312 mm slice collimation.
Radiation exposure was assessed using a dose management software (GE Dosewatch©).
A five-point scale was used to assess image quality (1=non diagnostic quality – 5=excellent quality).
Images were evaluated by two radiologists,
double-blinded to clinical data,
with 10 years of experience in reading maxillofacial CT.
The evaluation was focused on ethmoid cribrose laminae and ostium-meatali complexes.
Artefacts were also evaluated.