Pediatric craniosynostosis computed tomography: an institutional experience in reducing radiation dose while maintaining diagnostic image quality

BACKGROUND

Children with craniosynostosis may undergo multiple computed tomography (CT) examinations for diagnosis and post-treatment follow-up, resulting in cumulative radiation exposure.

OBJECTIVE

To reduce the risks associated with radiation exposure, we evaluated the compliance, radiation dose reduction and clinical image quality of a lower-dose CT protocol for pediatric craniosynostosis implemented at our institution.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The standard of care at our institution was modified to replace pediatric head CT protocols with a lower-dose CT protocol utilizing 100 kV, 5 mAs and iterative reconstruction. Study-ordered, protocol-utilized and radiation-dose indices were collected for studies performed with routine pediatric brain protocols (n=22) and with the lower-dose CT protocol (n=135). Two pediatric neuroradiologists evaluated image quality in a subset (n=50) of the lower-dose CT studies by scoring visualization of cranial structures, confidence of diagnosis and the need for more radiation dose.

RESULTS

During the 30-month period, the lower-dose CT protocol had high compliance, with 2/137 studies performed with routine brain protocols. With the lower-dose CT protocol, volume CT dose index (CTDI_vol) was 1.1 mGy for all patients (0-9 years old) and effective dose ranged from 0.06 to 0.22 mSv, comparable to a 4-view skull radiography examination. CTDI_vol was reduced by 98% and effective dose was reduced up to 67-fold. Confidence in diagnosing craniosynostosis was high and more radiation dose was considered unnecessary in all studies (n=50) by both radiologists.

CONCLUSION

Replacing the routine pediatric brain CT protocol with a lower-dose CT craniosynostosis protocol substantially reduced radiation exposure without compromising image quality or diagnostic confidence.