Comparison of pediatric radiation dose and vessel visibility on angiographic systems using piglets as a surrogate: antiscatter grid removal vs. lower detector air kerma settings with a grid — a preclinical investigation. (8th September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Strauss, Keith J.; Racadio, John M.; Abruzzo, Todd A.; Johnson, Neil D.; Patel, Manish N.; Kukreja, Kamlesh U.; den Hartog, Mark. J. H.; Hoornaert, Bart P.A.; Nachabe, Rami A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of applied clinical medical physics. Volume 16:Number 5(2015)
• Page Start: 408
• Page End: 417
• Publication Date: 2015-09-08
• Subjects: antiscatter grid -- radiation dose -- image quality -- pediatric; Medical physics -- Periodicals; Clinical medicine -- Periodicals; Health Physics; Clinical Medicine; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Periodicals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; 610.153
• DOI: 10.1120/jacmp.v16i5.5379
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1526-9914

Abstract

Abstract : The purpose of this study was to reduce pediatric doses while maintaining or improving image quality scores without removing the grid from X‐ray beam. This study was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Three piglets (5, 14, and 20 kg) were imaged using six different selectable detector air kerma ( K air ) per frame values (100%, 70%, 50%, 35%, 25%, 17.5%) with and without the grid. Number of distal branches visualized with diagnostic confidence relative to the injected vessel defined image quality score. Five pediatric interventional radiologists evaluated all images. Image quality score and piglet K air were statistically compared using analysis of variance and receiver operating curve analysis to define the preferred dose setting and use of grid for a visibility of 2nd and 3rd order vessel branches. Grid removal reduced both dose to subject and imaging quality by 26%. Third order branches could only be visualized with the grid present; 100% detector K air was required for smallest pig, while 70% detector K air was adequate for the two larger pigs. Second order branches could be visualized with grid at 17.5% detector K air for all three pig sizes. Without the grid, 50%, 35%, and 35% detector K air were required for smallest to largest pig, respectively. Grid removal reduces both dose and image quality score. Image quality scores can be maintained with less dose to subject with the grid in the beam as opposed to removed. Smaller anatomy requires more dose to the detector to achieve the same image quality score. PACS numbers: 87.53.Bn, 87.57.N‐, 87.57.cj, 87.59.cf, 87.59.Dj