Radiation Dose-Reduction Strategies for Neuroradiology CT Protocols

A.B. Smith; W.P. Dillon; R. Gould; M. Wintermark

doi:10.3174/ajnr.A0814

Article Figures & Data

Tables

Standard CT studies of the brain

Series	Scan Type	Detector Configuration	Pitch	Speed	FOV (cm)	kVp	Auto mA			Rotation Time	Section Thickness	Reconstruction Interval	Prep Group	Amount	Saline Flush	Rate
Series	Scan Type	Detector Configuration	Pitch	Speed	FOV (cm)	kVp	Min	Max	NI	Rotation Time	Section Thickness	Reconstruction Interval	Prep Group	Amount	Saline Flush	Rate
NCT	Helical	32 × 0.625	0.969:1	19.37	22	120	100	350	4	1	2.5	2.5	–	–	–	–
CECT	Helical	32 × 0.625	0.969:1	19.37	22	120	100	350	4	1	2.5	2.5	120	70	25	1

Note:—NCT indicates noncontrast CT; –, not applicable; Min, minimum; Max, maximum; CECT, contrast-enhanced CT.

Stroke CT protocol

Series^a	Scan Type	Detector Configuration	Pitch	Speed	FOV (cm)	kVp	Auto mA			Rotation Time	Section Thickness	Reconstruction Interval	Prep Group	Amount	Saline Flush	Rate
Series^a	Scan Type	Detector Configuration	Pitch	Speed	FOV (cm)	kVp	Min	Max	NI	Rotation Time	Section Thickness	Reconstruction Interval	Prep Group	Amount	Saline Flush	Rate
NCT	Helical	32 × 0.625	0.969:1	19.37	22	120	100	350	4	1	2.5	2.5	–	–	–	–
PCT1	Cine	8 × 5	–	–	22	80	100		–	1	5	5	7	40	25	5
PCT2	Cine	8 × 5	–	–	22	80	100		–	1	5	5	7	40	25	5
CTA	Helical	64 × 0.625	0.984:1	98.42	25	120	200	400	12	0.4	1.25	1	From PCT	70	25	5
CECT	Helical	32 × 0.625	0.969:1	19.37	22	120	100	350	4	1	2.5	2.5	120	–	–	–

Note:—NCT indicates noncontrast CT; Min, minimum; Max, maximum; PCT, perfusion CT; –, not applicable; CTA, CT angiography; CECT, contrast-enhanced CT.
a PCT1 is above the orbits; PCT2, immediately adjacent to PCT1; CTA prep group = PCT1 timing of the arterial peak + 6 seconds.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage and venous thrombosis CT protocols^a

Series^b	Scan Type	Detector Configuration	Pitch	Speed	FOV (cm)	kVp	Auto mA			Rotation Time	Section Thickness	Reconstruction Interval	Prep Group	Amount	Saline Flush	Rate
Series^b	Scan Type	Detector Configuration	Pitch	Speed	FOV (cm)	kVp	Min	Max	NI	Rotation Time	Section Thickness	Reconstruction Interval	Prep Group	Amount	Saline Flush	Rate
NCT	Helical	32 × 0.625	0.969:1	19.37	22	120	100	350	4	1	2.5	2.5	–	–	–	–
PCT1	Cine	8 × 5	–	–	22	80	100		–	1	5	5	7	40	25	5
PCT2	Cine	8 × 5	–	–	22	80	100		–	1	5	5	7	40	25	5
CTA	Helical	64 × 0.625	0.984:1	98.42	25	120	200	400	12	0.4	0.625	0.5	From PCT	70	25	5
CECT	Helical	32 × 0.625	0.969:1	19.37	22	120	100	350	4	1	2.5	2.5	120	–	–	–

Note:—Min, minimum; Max, maximum; NCT indicates noncontrast CT; PCT, perfusion CT; –, not applicable; CTA, CT angiography; CECT, contrast-enhanced CT.
a For subarachnoid hemorrhage CT Protocol: CTA prep group = PCT1 timing of the arterial peak + 7 seconds for venous thrombosis CT protocol: CTA prep group = PCT1 timing of the arterial peak + 10 seconds.
b PCT1, above the orbits; PCT2, immediately adjacent to PCT1.

Orbit, face, and sinus CT protocols

Series	Scan Type	Detector Configuration	Pitch	Speed	FOV (cm)	kVp	Auto mA			Rotation Time	Section Thickness	Reconstruction Interval	Prep Group	Amount	Saline Flush	Rate
Series	Scan Type	Detector Configuration	Pitch	Speed	FOV (cm)	kVp	Min	Max	NI	Rotation Time	Section Thickness	Reconstruction Interval	Prep Group	Amount	Saline Flush	Rate
	Helical	64 × 0.625	0.984:1	49.21	18	120	100	200	12	0.8	1.25	1	–	–	–	–

Note:—Min, minimum; Max, maximum; –, not applicable.

Temporal bone CT protocol

Series	Scan Type	Detector Configuration	Pitch	Speed	FOV (cm)	kVp	Auto mA			Rotation Time	Section Thickness	Reconstruction Interval	Prep Group	Amount	Saline Flush	Rate
Series	Scan Type	Detector Configuration	Pitch	Speed	FOV (cm)	kVp	Min	Max	NI	Rotation Time	Section Thickness	Reconstruction Interval	Prep Group	Amount	Saline Flush	Rate
	Helical	64 × 0.625	0.984:1	49.21	20	120	100	200	9	0.8	0.625	0.5	–	–	–	–

Note:—Min, minimum; Max, maximum; –, not applicable.

Neck CT protocol

Series	Scan Type	Detector Configuration	Pitch	Speed	FOV (cm)	kVp	Auto mA			Rotation Time	Section Thickness	Reconstruction Interval	Prep Group	Amount	Saline Flush	Rate
Series	Scan Type	Detector Configuration	Pitch	Speed	FOV (cm)	kVp	Min	Max	NI	Rotation Time	Section Thickness	Reconstruction Interval	Prep Group	Amount	Saline Flush	Rate
	Helical	64 × 0.625	0.984:1	49.21	18	120	100	200	6	0.8	2.5	2	60	100	25	2

Note:—Min, minimum; Max, maximum.

Cervical spine CT protocol

Series	Scan Type	Detector Configuration	Pitch	Speed	FOV (cm)	kVp	Auto mA			Rotation Time	Section Thickness	Reconstruction Interval	Prep Group	Amount	Saline Flush	Rate
Series	Scan Type	Detector Configuration	Pitch	Speed	FOV (cm)	kVp	Min	Max	NI	Rotation Time	Section Thickness	Reconstruction Interval	Prep Group	Amount	Saline Flush	Rate
	Helical	64 × 0.625	0.984:1	49.21	18	120	100	200	9	0.8	0.625	0.5	–	–	–	–

Note:—Min, minimum; Max, maximum; –, not applicable.

Thoracic and lumbar spine CT protocol

Series	Scan Type	Detector Configuration	Pitch	Speed	FOV (cm)	kVp	Auto mA			Rotation Time	Section Thickness	Reconstruction Interval	Prep Group	Amount	Saline Flush	Rate
Series	Scan Type	Detector Configuration	Pitch	Speed	FOV (cm)	kVp	Min	Max	NI	Rotation Time	Section Thickness	Reconstruction Interval	Prep Group	Amount	Saline Flush	Rate
	Helical	64 × 0.625	1.375:1	68.75	18	120	150	250	12	0.8	2.5	2	–	–	–	–

Note:—Min, minimum; Max, maximum; –, not applicable.

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