Claus-Peter Wallner MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Eva Maria Coppenrath MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Murry Kohn, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Konstantin Nikolaou MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Karl Schneider MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To evaluate image quality of paediatric HRCT of the lung with respect to the visibility of anatomical structures and variations in scan technique.

81 Examinations of 63 patients aged 0-19 years (33m/30f) were performed using a single-slice spiral CT (Philips Aura) and, in comparison, a 64-row multislice CT (MSCT, Siemens Sensation 64). 18 patients were controlled within 2 years, 12 of these on both CT scanners. 12% of the examinations were performed under general anaesthesia. The examination technique was similar for both scanner types with 1mm slice collimation, 100-120kV, 30-100mAs and high resolution reconstruction algorithm. A specially developed scoring system for anatomical structures in 8 defined lung regions was used by 3 radiologists for scoring on a PACS-Workstation with calibrated twin monitors using 2 standardized window settings.

75 Examinations were evaluated. 49% of the patients had cystic fibrosis, 33% interstitial lung disease, 12% atypical asthma. 81% of the anatomical structures above the hila were clearly visible. 40% of the basal slices had significant artefacts independent of age. 60% of the slices adjacent to the diaphragm were of no diagnostic value in patients younger than 6 years of age or older patients in respiratory distress. MSCT showed less diagnostic relevant artefacts but cannot abolish the artefacts caused by heart pulsation.

HRCT examination technique can be further optimized for patients under 8 years of age. MSCT with its fast rotation time shows significant better results but cannot abolish all artefacts caused by heart pulsation. Our newly developed scoring system allows a reliable quantative analysis of image quality in chest CT.

HRCT as the radiological gold standard for imaging interstitial lung disease can be further optimized in pediatric examinations and can in addition benifit from the advanteges of MSCT.

Wallner, C, Coppenrath, E, Kohn, M, Nikolaou, K, Schneider, K, Image Quality and Examination Technique in Paediatric High Resolution Computertomography (HRCT) of the Lung: A Comparison of CT and Multislice CT (MSCT) Examinations.  Radiological Society of North America 2007 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2007 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2007/5015320.html