Development of Low-Dose Protocols for Thin-Section CT Assessment of Cystic Fibrosis in Pediatric Patients

• DOI: 10.1148/radiol.10100278
• Publication Date: 2010-09-28T04:49:08Z
• Authors: Owen J. O’Connor; Moya Vandeleur; Anne Marie McGarr...; Niamh Moore; Sebastian R. McWi...; Sean E. McSweeney; Michael O’Neill; Muireann Ni Chroinin; Michael M. Maher
• Keywords: Institutional review board

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 Methods After institutional review board approval informed consent from or guardians were obtained, 14 CF 11 without (16 male, nine female; mean age, 12.6 years ± 5.4 [standard deviation]; range, 3.5–25 years) who underwent imaging reasons CT. Sections 1 mm thick (protocol A) used 10 patients, sections 0.5 B) 15 at six levels 120 kVp 30–50 mA. Image quality diagnostic acceptability scored qualitatively quantitatively by two radiologists also quantified disease severity CT Effective doses calculated using a dosimetry calculator. Results Low-dose was performed effective 0.19 mSv 0.03 protocol A 0.14 0.04 B (P < .005). Diagnostic depiction bronchovascular structures lung window settings graded as almost excellent both protocols, but inferior to mediastinal .02). Patients had moderate Bhalla score 9.2 5.3 (range, 0–19), that (1.1 1.4; P .001). There correlation between radiography (r = 0.88–0.92; Conclusion can be lower than standard CT, approaching those could appropriate evaluating bronchiectasis yielding information about parenchyma structures. © RSNA, 2010