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Tonkopi E, Tetteh MA, Gunn C, Ashraf H, Rusten SL, Safi P, Tinsoe NS, Colford K, Ouellet O, Naimi S, Johansen S. A multi-institutional assessment of low-dose protocols in chest computed tomography: Dose and image quality. Acta Radiol Open 2024; 13:20584601241228220. [PMID: 38304118 PMCID: PMC10829498 DOI: 10.1177/20584601241228220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Low-dose CT (LDCT) chest protocols have widespread clinical applications for many indications; as a result, there is a need for protocol assessment prior to standardization. Dalhousie University and Oslo Metropolitan University have a formally established cooperative relationship. Purpose The purpose is to assess radiation dose and image quality for LDCT chest protocols in seven different hospital locations in Norway and Canada. Material and methods Retrospective dosimetry data, volumetric CT dose index (CTDIvol), and dose length product (DLP) from 240 average-sized patients as well as CT protocol parameters were included in the survey. Effective dose (ED) and size-specific dose estimate (SSDE) were calculated for each examination. For a quantitative image quality analysis, noise, CT number, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were determined for three regions in the chest. The contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was calculated for lung parenchyma in comparison to the subcutaneous fat. Differences in dose and image quality were evaluated by a single-factor ANOVA test. A two-sample t-test was performed to determine differences in means between individual scanners. Results The ANOVA test revealed significant differences (p < .05) in dose values for all scanners, including identical scanner models. Statistically significant differences (p < .05) were determined in mean values of the SNR distributions between the scanners in all three measured regions in the chest, as well as the CNR values. Conclusion The observed variations in dose and image quality measurements, even within the same hospitals and between identical scanner models, indicate a potential for protocol optimization in the involved hospitals in both countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Tonkopi
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Mercy Afadzi Tetteh
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Akershus University Hospital, Loerenskog, Norway
| | - Catherine Gunn
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- School of Health Sciences, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Haseem Ashraf
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Akershus University Hospital, Loerenskog, Norway
- Medicine Faculty, University of Oslo, Oslo Norway
| | - Sigrid Lia Rusten
- Health Faculty, Department of Life Sciences and Health, Oslo Metropolitan University Oslo, Norway
| | - Perkhah Safi
- Health Faculty, Department of Life Sciences and Health, Oslo Metropolitan University Oslo, Norway
| | - Nora Suu Tinsoe
- Health Faculty, Department of Life Sciences and Health, Oslo Metropolitan University Oslo, Norway
| | - Kylie Colford
- School of Health Sciences, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Olivia Ouellet
- School of Health Sciences, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Salma Naimi
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Akershus University Hospital, Loerenskog, Norway
| | - Safora Johansen
- Health Faculty, Department of Life Sciences and Health, Oslo Metropolitan University Oslo, Norway
- Department of Cancer Treatment, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Health and Social Science Cluster, Singapore Institute of Technology, Singapore
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