Development of low-dose protocols for thin-section CT assessment of cystic fibrosis in pediatric patients.

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2010-12-01
Authors
O'Connor, Owen J.
Vandeleur, Moya
McGarrigle, Anne Marie
Moore, Niamh
McWilliams, Sebastian R.
McSweeney, Seán E.
O'Neill, Michael
Ní Chróinín, Muireann
Maher, Michael M.
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Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)
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Abstract
Purpose: To develop low-dose thin-section computed tomographic (CT) protocols for assessment of cystic fibrosis (CF) in pediatric patients and determine the clinical usefulness thereof compared with chest radiography. Materials and Methods: After institutional review board approval and informed consent from patients or guardians were obtained, 14 patients with CF and 11 patients without CF (16 male, nine female; mean age, 12.6 years ± 5.4 [standard deviation]; range, 3.5–25 years) who underwent imaging for clinical reasons underwent low-dose thin-section CT. Sections 1 mm thick (protocol A) were used in 10 patients, and sections 0.5 mm thick (protocol B) were used in 15 patients at six levels at 120 kVp and 30–50 mA. Image quality and diagnostic acceptability were scored qualitatively and quantitatively by two radiologists who also quantified disease severity at thin-section CT and chest radiography. Effective doses were calculated by using a CT dosimetry calculator. Results: Low-dose thin-section CT was performed with mean effective doses of 0.19 mSv ± 0.03 for protocol A and 0.14 mSv ± 0.04 for protocol B (P < .005). Diagnostic acceptability and depiction of bronchovascular structures at lung window settings were graded as almost excellent for both protocols, but protocol B was inferior to protocol A for mediastinal assessment (P < .02). Patients with CF had moderate lung disease with a mean Bhalla score of 9.2 ± 5.3 (range, 0–19), compared with that of patients without CF (1.1 ± 1.4; P < .001). There was excellent correlation between thin-section CT and chest radiography (r = 0.88–0.92; P < .001). Conclusion: Low-dose thin-section CT can be performed at lower effective doses than can standard CT, approaching those of chest radiography. Low-dose thin-section CT could be appropriate for evaluating bronchiectasis in pediatric patients, yielding appropriate information about lung parenchyma and bronchovascular structures.
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Cystic fibrosis , Prospective studies , Radiation dosage , Radiography, thoracic , Statistics, nonparametric , Tomography, x-Ray computed , Computer assisted tomography , Cystic fibrosis , Diagnostic value , Disease severity , Dosimetry , Image analysis , Image quality , Low energy radiation , Lung structure , Thorax radiography
Citation
O’Connor, O. J., Vandeleur, M., McGarrigle, A. M., Moore, N., McWilliams, S. R., McSweeney, S. E., O’Neill, M., Chroinin, M. N. and Maher, M. M. (2010) 'Development of Low-Dose Protocols for Thin-Section CT Assessment of Cystic Fibrosis in Pediatric Patients', Radiology, 257(3), pp. 820-829. doi:10.1148/radiol.10100278
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© RSNA, 2010. Note: This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. To order presentation-ready copies for distribution to your colleagues or clients, contact www.rsna.org/rsnarights.