Timothy Peter Szczykutowicz PhD, Presenter: Equipment support, General Electric Company Research Grant, Siemens AG

Myron Andrew Pozniak MD, Abstract Co-Author: Stockholder, Cellectar Biosciences, Inc

Frank N. Ranallo PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Grant, General Electric Company

The framework presented in this paper makes complying with ACR and AAPM recommendations easier; as well as creating new protocols. IT solutions to capturing tube output information and radiologist quality assurance information was vital to using this method.

Maintaining a set of CT protocols specific to indication, patient size, body region, and scanner can be a daunting task; ideally hundreds of protocols are required to cover this range. This work proposes two concepts to aid this process: (1) basing all protocols within a given body region from a single basis protocol and (2) using graphical/spreadsheet tools to manage and develop protocols.

Use of the master protocol concept enabled our institution to reduce the number of unique scan protocols by 37.5% for the body section. A case of an image quality issue for one protocol that triggered preventive action to be taken for all protocols using the same master protocol was implemented. Use of optimized master protocols allowed for easy creation of a new HCC liver and an organ donor protocol at our institution.

Acquisition parameters from the body section (114 protocols in total) at our institution were put into a spreadsheet program. After combining similar scan parameters, only 35 master protocols were needed to span all 114 clinical protocols. All 34 master protocols were based off a single basis protocols using mathematical relationships between acquisition parameters. These relationships were used to model protocol changes in order to optimize parameters like rotation time, pitch, tube current limits, etc. All of the changes were based off having a validated basis protocol in which the mA ranges required by individual scanners were recorded as a function of patient size. Graphical depictions of acquisition parameters were created from the master protocols and used to visually identify and confirm trends in protocol optimization (e.g. increase in kV with patient size).

Szczykutowicz, T, Pozniak, M, Ranallo, F, The Master CT Protocol Concept in Practice: How a Small Set of Optimized Protocols Can Be Used to Create Acquisition Parameters for a Wide Range of Clinical Indications.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14004981.html