Patient- and Task-specific Radiation Dose Optimization for Pediatric Abdominopelvic CT Applications

Radiation dose reduction has been a primary driver of technology development in
multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT). The optimization of radiation dose for patient and
task specific computed tomography (CT) applications continues to be an ongoing challenge,
especially in pediatric patients where the desire to reduce radiation dose to lowest possible
levels leads to both positive and negative effects. A novel research tool on the Siemens dual
source (Flash® and Force ®) CT scanners allows one to assess multiple tube current levels
from a single CT acquisition without incurring additional dose to the patient. Tube current
is a primary contributor to radiation dose and image noise, which are inversely related. This
is achieved by independently adjusting the current of each tube, while maintaining same kV in
each x-ray tube. Moreover, Duke's medical physics team has developed a method based on
mathematical expressions that allows the creation of incremental dose levels from the
acquired image data sets. This innovative and powerful tool can be used to compare diagnostic
accuracy, detectability, and many more relevant clinical features amongst multiple tube
current levels with the attainment of a single CT acquisition.