Encrypted login | home

Program Information

Best Practices in Pediatric CT Physics


K Strauss
no image available
R McKinstry



K Strauss1*, R McKinstry2*, (1) Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, (2) Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO

Presentations

SA-B-BRC-0 (Saturday, March 7, 2015) 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Room: Ballroom C


The management of image quality and radiation dose during CT scanning is dependent on how well one manages the radiographic techniques as a function of the type of exam, type of CT scanner, and patient size, from the smallest 2 kg infant to large bariatric patients. The CT scanner’s display of expected CTDIvol patient is complete provides the operator with a powerful tool prior to the patient’s helical or axial scan to identify and manage appropriate CT techniques, provided the department has established appropriate Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs). This paper provides a step-by-step process that allows the development of DRLs as a function of type of exam, of actual patient size, and of the unique radiation output of each CT scanner in a department. Abdomen, pelvis, thorax, and head scans are addressed. Patient sizes from newborns to large adults are discussed. The method addresses every CT scanner regardless of vendor, model, or vintage. Adjustments to techniques to manage the impact of iterative reconstruction are covered. A method to handle all available voltages other than 120 kV is provided. This level of management of CT techniques is necessary to properly manage radiation dose and image quality during CT scans over the wide range of patient sizes that are imaged in the majority of departments on a daily basis.

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the basic steps necessary to develop radiographic techniques for a standard adult patients on the variety of CT scanners within a given department.
2. Understand the steps necessary to modify radiographic techniques for adult patients for both pediatric and bariatric patients and all sizes in between.
3. Learn how to adapt these basic techniques using 120 kV to all available high voltages and to scanners using iterative reconstruction.


Funding Support, Disclosures, and Conflict of Interest: KS serves as a paid consultant for Philips Medical Systems upon request.

Handouts


Contact Email: