Application of 70kVp in abdominal CT angiography to reduce both radiation and contrast dosage and improve patient comfort for children
Abstract Objective To evaluate the application of 70kVp in pediatric abdominal CT angiography (CTA) to reduce radiation and contrast dose and improve patient comfort. Methods Forty-six children needing abdominal CTA were enrolled in the study group using low-dose scanning protocol with 70kVp and 0.7-1.1ml/kg contrast dose, and reconstructed with 50%ASIR-V. They were compared with another 46 children (control group) with matching body weight who underwent conventional CT scans with 100kVp, 1.2-1.8ml/kg contrast dose and reconstructed using 50%ASIR. The image quality of large vessels was evaluated using a 5-point scale, and the number of superior mesenteric artery branches identifiable by CAD was recorded. The CT value and standard deviation of descending aorta (Ao) was measured, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) calculated. Radiation dose, contrast dose, the maximum injection pressure, correlation between flow rate and injection pressure were compared between the two groups. Results The score for displaying large vessels by 70kVp images was 3.91±0.28, and up to 3 superior mesenteric artery branches could be identified, all of which met the diagnostic requirements. The CT value of Ao was 390.87±86.79HU in the study group, higher than 343.93±49.94HU in the control group, while no difference in SNR and CNR between the two groups; the radiation dose, contrast dosage and injection pressure of the study group were 1.23±0.39mGy, 12.67±7.27ml and 43.83±17.16psi respectively, significantly lower than the 1.95±0.37mGy, 22.67±7.39ml, and 77.59±19.68psi of the control group. The correlation coefficients between flow rate and injection pressure were 0.82 and 0.86 in 70kVp group and 100kVp group. Conclusion 70kVp scanning meets the diagnostic requirements in pediatric abdominal CTA while providing significant radiation dose, contrast dose and injection pressure reduction.