Unenhanced 320-row multidetector computed tomography of the brain in children: comparison of image quality and radiation dose among wide-volume, one-shot volume, and helical scan modes

• DOI: 10.1007/s00247-017-4060-1
• Publication Date: 2018-02-15T15:32:07Z
• Authors: Sun Kyung Jeon; Young Hun Choi; Jung-Eun Cheon; Woo Sun Kim; Yeon Jin Cho; Ji Young Ha; Seung Hyun Lee; Hyejin Hyun; In-One Kim
• Keywords: Male; Brain Diseases; Adolescent; Infant; Signal-To-Noise Ratio; Radiation Dosage; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Child, Preschool; Multidetector Computed Tomography; Humans; Female; Artifacts; Child; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Tomography, Spiral Computed

The 320-row multidetector computed tomography (CT) scanner has multiple scan modes, including volumetric modes.To compare the image quality and radiation dose of 320-row CT in three acquisition modes - helical, one-shot volume, and wide-volume scan - at pediatric brain imaging.Fifty-seven children underwent unenhanced brain CT using one of three scan modes (helical scan, n=21; one-shot volume scan, n=17; wide-volume scan, n=19). For qualitative analysis, two reviewers evaluated overall image quality and image noise using a 5-point grading system. For quantitative analysis, signal-to-noise ratio, image noise and posterior fossa artifact index were calculated. To measure the radiation dose, adjusted CT dose index per unit volume (CTDIadj) and dose length product (DLP) were compared.Qualitatively, the wide-volume scan showed significantly less image noise than the helical scan (P=0.009), and less streak artifact than the one-shot volume scan (P=0.001). The helical mode showed significantly lower signal-to-noise ratio, with a higher image noise level compared with the one-shot volume and wide-volume modes (all P<0.05). The CTDIadj and DLP were significantly lower in the one-shot volume and wide-volume modes compared with those in the helical scan mode (all P<0.05).For pediatric unenhanced brain CT, both the wide-volume and one-shot volume scans reduced radiation dose compared to the helical scan mode, while the wide-volume scan mode showed fewer streak artifacts in the skull vertex and posterior fossa than the one-shot volume scan.