BACKGROUND:Low-tube voltage scanning improves CT attenuation value of contrast medium (CM). Thus, we hypothesized that 70 kVp in pediatric abdominal CT angiography (CTA) could be used to reduce both radiation and CM dose and improve patient comfort at the same time. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the feasibility of using 70 kVp in pediatric abdominal CTA to reduce radiation dose and CM dose and improve patient care for children. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Forty-six children needing abdominal CTA were enrolled in the study group using low-dose scanning protocol with 70 kVp and 0.7–1.1 ml/kg contrast dose, and reconstructed with 50%ASIR-V. They were compared with other 46 children in control group with matching body weight and underwent conventional CT scans with 100 kVp, 1.2–1.8 ml/kg contrast dose and reconstructed using 50%ASIR. Image quality of large vessels was evaluated using a 5-point scale. CT value and standard deviation of descending aorta (Ao) was measured, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were calculated. Radiation dose, contrast dose, the maximum injection pressure between the two groups were also compared. RESULTS:Score for displaying large vessels by 70 kVp images was 3.91±0.28, lower than that (4.17±0.38) of the control group (p < 0.05), but fully met the diagnostic requirements. CT value of Ao was 390.87±86.79HU in study group, which is higher than 343.93±49.94HU in control group, while there was no difference in SNR and CNR between two groups; the radiation dose, contrast dosage and injection pressure of the study group were 1.23±0.39mGy, 12.67±7.27 ml and 43.83±17.16psi, respectively, which are significantly lower than the 1.95±0.37mGy, 22.67±7.39 ml, and 77.59±19.68psi of control group. CONCLUSION:Use of 70 kVp in pediatric abdominal CTA provides diagnostic quality images while significantly reduce radiation and contrast dose, as well as injection pressure to improve patient comfort for children.

中文翻译：

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70 kVp在腹部CT血管造影中的应用，以减少辐射和造影剂剂量，提高儿童患者的舒适度

背景：低管电压扫描提高造影剂（CM）CT衰减值。因此，我们假设小儿腹部 CT 血管造影 (CTA) 中的 70 kVp 可用于减少辐射和 CM 剂量，同时提高患者的舒适度。目的：评估在小儿腹部 CTA 中使用 70 kVp 降低辐射剂量和 CM 剂量并改善儿童护理的可行性。材料与方法：将46名需要腹部CTA的儿童纳入研究组，采用低剂量扫描方案，70 kVp和0.7-1.1 ml/kg对比剂剂量，50%ASIR-V重建。他们与对照组的其他 46 名体重相匹配的儿童进行了比较，并接受了常规 CT 扫描，100 kVp、1.2-1.8 ml/kg 造影剂剂量并使用 50% ASIR 重建。使用 5 分制评估大血管的图像质量。测量降主动脉（Ao）CT值和标准差，计算信噪比（SNR）和对比噪声比（CNR）。比较两组放射剂量、造影剂剂量、最大注射压力。结果：70 kVp图像显示大血管评分为3.91±0.28，低于对照组（4.17±0.38）（p < 0.05），但完全满足诊断要求。研究组Ao CT值为390.87±86.79HU，高于对照组343.93±49.94HU，而两组SNR、CNR无差异；研究组的放射剂量、造影剂剂量和注射压力分别为1.23±0.39mGy、12.67±7.27 ml和43.83±17.16psi，显着低于对照组的 1.95±0.37mGy、22.67±7.39 ml 和 77.59±19.68psi。结论：在儿科腹部 CTA 中使用 70 kVp 可提供诊断质量的图像，同时显着降低辐射和对比剂剂量以及注射压力，从而提高儿童患者的舒适度。