Establishing DRLs and optimisation strategies in paediatric CT imaging
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Establishing DRLs and investigating optimisation strategies in paediatric CT imaging.
IRAS ID
207750
Contact name
Claire-Louise Chapple
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Newcastle Joint Research Office, NUTH
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Radiation used to form images in CT scans is very useful in diagnosing illness. However there is a small risk of future cancer induction associated with this radiation exposure. Children are particularly sensitive to the effects of radiation, and so it is very important to ensure that radiation doses from CT scans are kept optimal: as low as possible for adequate diagnosis. Recently the Trust acquired a new Siemens Force CT scanner, one of only four in the UK. This project aims to optimise the use of this machine for children’s chest scans, from which every centre using the Force CT will benefit.
Firstly Diagnostic Reference Levels will be established, by collecting information on many paediatric patient doses for common CT procedures. This information acts as a guide for patient doses, identifying where there is unnecessarily high dose and scope for optimisation. These findings can be used for reference locally or combined with others around the country to establish national guidance on CT dose.
The project will also look at how well optimised the current CT protocols are. Synthetic models will be scanned, similar in size and composition to paediatric patients. Commonly used protocols will be investigated by varying scan parameters such as the energy and amount of the X-ray beam and investigating the resulting doses. Image quality will be evaluated by experienced doctors. The parameters giving the lowest dose for adequate diagnostic image quality will be adopted.
Once optimal protocols are identified and implemented, the use of the low dose Force CT scanner in initial diagnosis of chest infection will be compared to the traditional investigation, chest X-rays. Often the diagnosis from a chest X-ray is unclear, leading to a CT scan also. Patient images will be compared by doctors to determine how good each image is at diagnosing chest infection. If CT is better overall, it may be worthwhile using this as a first line investigation for chest infection.
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/NE/0297
Date of REC Opinion
21 Sep 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion