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Achieving consistent image quality with dose optimization in 64-row multidetector computed tomography prospective ECG gated coronary calcium scoring

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Abstract

To evaluate the clinical value of a body mass index (BMI) based tube current (mA) selection method for obtaining consistent image quality with dose optimization in MDCT prospective ECG gated coronary calcium scoring. A formula for selecting mA to achieve desired image quality based on patient BMI was established using a control group (A) of 200 MDCT cardiac patients with a standard scan protocol. One hundred patients in Group B were scanned with this BMI-dependent mA for achieving a desired noise level of 18 HU at 2.5 mm slice thickness. The CTDIvol and image noise on the ascending aorta for the two groups were recorded. Two experienced radiologists quantitatively evaluated the image quality using scores of 1–4 with 4 being the highest. The image quality scores had no statistical difference (P = 0.71) at 3.89 ± 0.32, 3.87 ± 0.34, respectively, for groups A and B of similar BMI. The image noise in Group A had linear relationship with BMI. The image noise in Group B using BMI-dependent mA was independent of BMI with average value of 17.9 HU and smaller deviations for the noise values than in Group A (2.0 vs. 2.9 HU). There was a 35% dose reduction with BMI-dependent mA selection method on average with the lowest effective dose being only 0.35 mSv for patient with BMI of 18.3. A quantitative BMI-based mA selection method in MDCT prospective ECG gated coronary calcium scoring has been proposed to obtain a desired and consistent image quality and provide dose optimization across patient population.

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Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Haipeng Dong, Zhenfang Wu, Weipin Shi, and Heshi Liu for their important contributions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Shanghai Ruijin Hospital affiliated to Jiaotong University, 197 Ruijin Er Road, 200025, Shanghai, China

    Zilai Pan, Lifang Pang, Huan Zhang, Wenjie Yang, Bei Ding, Weimin Chai & Kemin Chen

  2. GE Healthcare China, 1 Yongchang North Road, 100176, Beijing, China

    Jianying Li

  3. Department of Radiology, Shanghai No. 6 People’s Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University, 600 Yi-shan Road, 200233, Shanghai, China

    Weiwu Yao

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  1. Zilai Pan
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  2. Lifang Pang
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Correspondence to Weiwu Yao.

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Pan, Z., Pang, L., Li, J. et al. Achieving consistent image quality with dose optimization in 64-row multidetector computed tomography prospective ECG gated coronary calcium scoring. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 27, 611–617 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10554-010-9701-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10554-010-9701-5

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