Effect of arm position on image quality and radiation dose during thorax and abdomen computed tomography scans.

Autor: Buchhave EØ; Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Regionshospital Nordjylland, Frederikshavn, Barfredsvej 83, 9900 Frederikshavn, Denmark. Electronic address: buchhave_emilie@hotmail.com., Rasmussen CD; Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Regionshospital Nordjylland, Frederikshavn, Barfredsvej 83, 9900 Frederikshavn, Denmark. Electronic address: ceciliedahlrasmussen@hotmail.com., Lentz R; Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Section 1/2, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Blvd. 99, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark. Electronic address: rikki_lentz@msn.com., Frederiksen EH; Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Section 1/2/3, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Blvd. 99, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark. Electronic address: emmahindborg@gmail.com., Kipp JO; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Blvd. 99, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark. Electronic address: josephine.olsen@clin.au.dk., Leftes MØ; Department of Radiography, University Collage of Northern Denmark, Selma Lagerløfs Vej 2, 9220 Aalborg Øst, Denmark. Electronic address: majk@ucn.dk.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Radiography (London, England : 1995) [Radiography (Lond)] 2024 Jul; Vol. 30 (4), pp. 1035-1040. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 May 08.
DOI: 10.1016/j.radi.2024.04.015
Abstrakt: Introduction: During Computed Tomography (CT) scans of the Thorax-Abdomen-Pelvis (TAP) the patient's arms should be positioned above the head to obtain optimal image quality and expose the patient to the lowest possible radiation dose. This may be impossible with patients with shoulder problems leading to arms being positioned in other ways. This study aimed to investigate differences in objective image quality and estimated effective dose (E), when positioning the arms below shoulder level in CT-TAP.
Methods: An anthropomorphic phantom with cadaver arms was used. Four arm positions were tested: Along the torso (A), on the pelvis (B), on a pillow on the pelvis (C), and one arm on pillow on the pelvis and the other arm on the pelvis (D). A Siemens SOMATOM Definition Flash CT-scanner with CareDose 4D was used. The dose length product was read to estimate E. Image quality was assessed objectively by measuring noise within the region of interest in the liver and urinary bladder.
Results: Significant differences in E between all arm positions were seen (p = 0.005). The lowest E was obtained in position C, reducing E by 8.42%. Position A provided the best image quality but the highest E.
Conclusion: This study showed no unequivocal optimal positioning of arms in CT-TAP. Position A provided the best object image quality, while position C yielded the lowest E. These results may impact the planning of diagnostic CT where positioning of arms may influence optimal image quality and radiation dose.
Implication for Practice: This study illustrates tendencies for objective image quality and E when arms are positioned below shoulder level. Further research is needed to assess the clinical relevance with the diagnostic potential.
Competing Interests: Conflict of interest statement None.
(Copyright © 2024 The College of Radiographers. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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