Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Medical Devices
Open Access

Abstract

Dose Optimization Studies by Selecting Kilovoltage in Oncologic Chest CT

Miguel Sineiro Galiñanes, Miguel Pombar Cameán, Martine Remy-Jardin, José M. Carreira Villamor, José Manuel Pumar Cebreiro, Jorge Suárez Cuenca, Jacques Remy and Miguel Souto Bayarri

In this work we have studied the adequacy of dose levels of irradiation in oncologic chest CT obtained in our daily practice. The secondary objective was to evaluate the effect on radiation dose of individual adjustment of kilovoltage in thoracic multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) images acquired with both single and dual-source technology. The impact of lowering the kilovoltage in the diagnostic quality of these studies was also evaluated. 161 patients were included in the study. CT examinations were performed using two different equipments: a conventional CT scanner and a dual-source computed tomography. The average values of dose length product (DLP) obtained in our daily practice meet the recommendations of the existing referral guidelines. Lower values can be achieved through individual adjustment of kilovoltage and with dual-source CT technology, maintaining the diagnostic quality of these studies.