Modified Chest CT Technique Reduces Patient Radiation Exposure

Applying the automatic exposure control (AEC) technique (based on weight, age, and indication for scan) to chest computed tomography (CT) scans can reduce patient radiation exposure up to 20%.

AEC is a technique radiologists can use to modify the amount of radiation exposure to a patient depending on the patient's size. Chest CT scans are typically used for indications like pneumonia, chest trauma, vascular disorders, and abnormal chest X-rays. "We perform almost 700 chest CT scans every week,” said Priyanka Prakash, M.D, lead author of the study. "However, the rising use of CT in general has increased concerns about radiation-induced cancers, especially among younger patients who are often being scanned for benign indications,” stated Dr. Prakash.

Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, MA, USA) assessed 98 patients who were scanned using the AEC technique adapted simultaneously for patient age, weight, and clinical indication. The study's findings revealed that stratification of chest CT exams performed with AEC adapted to a patient's age, weight, and clinical indication resulted in a 6% - 20% reduction in radiation dose when compared to the previous weight-based AEC protocols and a 40% - 50% reduction when compared to fixed scans without AEC.

"AEC helps in individualizing the scan protocols for every patient depending on patient size. Thus, every patient gets scanned at a radiation dose that is appropriate for them,” concluded Dr. Prakash.

The study was presented May 4, 2010, at the American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS) 2010 annual meeting, held in San Diego, CA, USA.

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Massachusetts General Hospital