Preliminary review of paediatric coronary computed tomography angiography doses at a children’s hospital in Johannesburg South Africa

Authors

  • Bronwin Van Wyk
  • Jaishree Naidoo Independent
  • Alfred Mazibuko Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital
  • Puleng Leshalabe Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital

Keywords:

paediatric, optimising, computed tomography, coronary, dose length product, image quality

Abstract

Purpose.  To share our experience of reviewing paediatric coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) dose using a GE Revolution EVO computed tomography scanner. 

Methods and materials.  This study had three phases. Phase 1 consisted of validating the scanner’s DLP by measuring the GE Revolution EVO CT dose using a test phantom. Phase 2 retrospectively analysed the paediatric dose of the first two CCTA cases and was followed by a prospective analysis of the next six CCTA cases treated at Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital (NMCH). Phase 3 consisted of image quality analysis by three radiology consultants. 

Results.  The percentage differences between the displayed and estimated CTDIvol were well within the limits prescribed in literature. A dose reduction of 2.32 mSv was seen in the prospective cases when compared to the retrospective results. A 5-point radiologist rating revealed that the diagnostic radiologists were overall satisfied with the subjective image quality even after changes made to the scan parameters. 

Conclusion.  Small changes in scan parameters can reduce the dose to children significantly whilst keeping image quality for CCTA cases.

Author Biographies

Bronwin Van Wyk

Department of Medical Physics. DD: Medical Physics

Jaishree Naidoo, Independent

Radiologist

Alfred Mazibuko, Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital

Radiology, Senior radiograher

Puleng Leshalabe, Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital

Radiology, Chief radiograher

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Published

2019-11-20

Issue

Section

Original Articles