Exposure Dose Decrement in Brain CT for 0-3 year-old Baby

Abstract

          According to the study of CT scanner – PHILIPS model Extended Brilliance (MDCT 64 slice) with various reconstruction algorithms, it was found that the routine technique for baby’s CT scan brain of 120kVp, 200 mA yielded the noise close to the parameter of 120 kVp, 100mA (raw data had been reconstructed with smooth algorithm = -1) at every slice thickness, when the other parameters were fixed. It meant that this technique could be used to reduce noise on images instead of increasing mA once less thickness was made. Twenty 0-3 year-old baby patients’ brain were CT scanned by this technique, then the image qualities were evaluated by three radiologists. Average scores were 4.9, 4.9, 4.8 respectively (5=excellent, 4=good, 3=moderate, 2= adequate, 1= must be improved). Using 100 mA can reduce radiation dose as a half of the usual technique (200 mA = 25.8 mGy, 100 mA = 12.9 mGy). In addition, the tube can be prolonged in long term.