Helical CT of the Body: A Survey of Techniques Used for Pediatric Patients

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
OBJECTIVE. Our purpose was to assess the current practice of helical CT of the body in pediatric patients through a survey of members of the Society for Pediatric Radiology. MATERIALS AND METHODS. The survey consisted of 53 questions addressing demographics; oral and IV contrast media administration; and age-based (age groups, 0-4, 5-8, 9-12, and 13-16 years) scanning parameters, including tube current, kilovoltage, slice thickness, and pitch. Respondents accessed the Web-based survey via a uniform resource locator link included in an e-mail to the members of the Society for Pediatric Radiology automatically sent every week for three weeks. Survey results were automatically tabulated. RESULTS. Most (83%) respondents were based in children's or university hospitals at the time of the survey. Virtually all (99%) used nonionic IV contrast material. For body scanning, 21-32% used less than 2.0 mL/kg of body weight; we found the percentage of respondents who used power injection to be approximately equal to the percentage of those who used manual injection (47%). Age-based adjustments are made; however, 11-26% of CT examinations of children younger than 9 years are performed using more than 150 mA. A notable finding was that 20-25% of respondents did not know specific parameters used for their examinations. CONCLUSION. Although pediatric radiologists do practice age-adjusted helical CT, variable scanning techniques are used, potentially delivering high doses of radiation. Information on current practices in helical CT of the body in children can serve as a foundation for future recommendations and investigations into helical CT in pediatric patients.

This publication has 12 references indexed in Scilit: