Computed tomography in children with cystic fibrosis: a new way to reduce radiation dose

Santiago Jiménez ^1*, Juan Ramón Jiménez ², Manuel Crespo ¹, Elena Santamarta ², Carlos Bousoño ¹ and Julián Rodríguez ¹

¹ Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Spain
² Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Spain

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: principevegeta{at}hotmail.com.

Accepted 6 November 2005

Abstract

Aims: The aim of the study is to determine if the monitoring of respiratory disease progression in children with cystic fibrosis can be made using 6 pre- selected CT cuts in lieu of the conventional full study, therefore markedly reducing the radiation exposure.

Methods: We analysed 41 lung CT scans from 21 paediatric patients with CF, comparing the Bhalla and Nathanson scores assessing the total lung CT, versus the six pre-selected CT cuts.

Results: The Bhalla mean score of the total lung CT evaluated by two radiologists was 5.62. It was 5.36 when just the six pre-selected sections were evaluated. The difference between means was not statistically significant. The Nathanson mean score of the total lung CT evaluated by both radiologists was 66.11 and was 66.51 when just the six pre-selected sections were evaluated. The difference between means was not statistically significant. The mean total radiation dose from a single whole lung CT scan was 716.22 mGy.cm. We estimated 250.66 mGy.cm., if only 6 sections were used, with a reduction in radiation of about 65%.

Conclusion It is possible to obtain the same radiological information from 6 pre-selected CT cuts as it is from a full pulmonary CT scan, therefore markedly reducing radiation exposure for children who will require repeat investigations in the future.

Keywords: child, computed tomography, cystic fibrosis, radiation, scores

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