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Correlation of cross-sectional diameter with image quality and radiation exposure in MDCT examinations of the neck.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Hoang, JK; Gafton, AR; Eastwood, JD; Chen, LF; Hurwitz, LM
Published in: AJR Am J Roentgenol
November 2011

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify an optimal cross-sectional neck diameter that correlates with image quality and radiation exposure in MDCT examinations of the neck performed with automatic tube current modulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-six adults underwent 64-MDCT of the neck with automatic tube current modulation at the same noise setting. On frontal and lateral scout images, maximal body diameters were measured in the transverse and anteroposterior planes at two levels: just below the mandible (upper neck) and at the lung apex (lower neck). Neck diameters were correlated with image quality on a subjective 4-point scale and with radiation exposure (volume CT dose index). RESULTS: As continuous variables, both anteroposterior and transverse diameters in the lower neck were associated with image quality (p ≤ 0.0012). Diameters in the upper neck were not associated with image quality. When diameters in the lower neck were categorized into small, medium, and large, image quality grades were higher for smaller patients (p < 0.001). Images of 81% of small patients (lower neck transverse diameter < 40 cm) had a high image quality grade, compared with images of 7-20% of large patients (diameter > 48 cm). Transverse diameter in the lower neck correlated best with radiation dose measured as volume CT dose index (r = 0.78). When transverse diameter in the lower neck was used to categorize patients' size, the mean volume CT dose index for small patients was 34.1 mSv and that for large patients was 63.5 mSv. CONCLUSION: Lower neck transverse diameter on the CT scout image best correlates with image quality and radiation exposure for neck MDCT examinations performed with automatic tube current modulation. Images of patients with a lower neck transverse diameter less than 40 cm are of higher quality than those of larger patients. Individualized dose reduction techniques therefore may be appropriate for smaller patients.

Duke Scholars

Published In

AJR Am J Roentgenol

DOI

EISSN

1546-3141

Publication Date

November 2011

Volume

197

Issue

5

Start / End Page

W904 / W909

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
  • Radiation Dosage
  • Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
  • Neck
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Hoang, J. K., Gafton, A. R., Eastwood, J. D., Chen, L. F., & Hurwitz, L. M. (2011). Correlation of cross-sectional diameter with image quality and radiation exposure in MDCT examinations of the neck. AJR Am J Roentgenol, 197(5), W904–W909. https://doi.org/10.2214/AJR.10.5476
Hoang, Jenny K., Andreia R. Gafton, James D. Eastwood, Luke F. Chen, and Lynne M. Hurwitz. “Correlation of cross-sectional diameter with image quality and radiation exposure in MDCT examinations of the neck.AJR Am J Roentgenol 197, no. 5 (November 2011): W904–9. https://doi.org/10.2214/AJR.10.5476.
Hoang JK, Gafton AR, Eastwood JD, Chen LF, Hurwitz LM. Correlation of cross-sectional diameter with image quality and radiation exposure in MDCT examinations of the neck. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2011 Nov;197(5):W904–9.
Hoang, Jenny K., et al. “Correlation of cross-sectional diameter with image quality and radiation exposure in MDCT examinations of the neck.AJR Am J Roentgenol, vol. 197, no. 5, Nov. 2011, pp. W904–09. Pubmed, doi:10.2214/AJR.10.5476.
Hoang JK, Gafton AR, Eastwood JD, Chen LF, Hurwitz LM. Correlation of cross-sectional diameter with image quality and radiation exposure in MDCT examinations of the neck. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2011 Nov;197(5):W904–W909.

Published In

AJR Am J Roentgenol

DOI

EISSN

1546-3141

Publication Date

November 2011

Volume

197

Issue

5

Start / End Page

W904 / W909

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
  • Radiation Dosage
  • Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
  • Neck
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans