Contrast-Enhanced High-Pitch Computed Tomography in Pediatric Patients Without Electrocardiography Triggering and Sedation: Comparison of Cardiac Image Quality With Conventional Multidetector Computed Tomography

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare image quality of anatomical cardiac details without electrocardiography triggering, sedation, or heart rate–regulating drugs in contrast-enhanced pediatric chest computed tomography (CT), using high-pitch CT (HPCT) versus conventional pitch-mode technique (multidetector CT [MDCT]). Methods: After written informed consent, 55 patients (median age, 11 years; range, 3–17 years) were prospectively included in this institutional review board–approved study. Patients underwent clinically indicated, contrast-enhanced MDCT or HPCT of the chest. Image quality was assessed evaluating morphological criteria on a 3-point scale (from 1, high, to 3, low detail) and summed up in a global score (from 4, best, to 12, poor image quality). Artifacts were analyzed correspondingly (from 3, low, to 9, severe artifacts). Effective dose and size-specific dose estimate were calculated for all scans. Results: Cardiac image quality was higher in HPCT than in MDCT (7.1 [1.6] vs 8.8 [1.9], P
Source: Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography - Category: Radiology Tags: Cardiovascular Radiology Source Type: research