Extent of simultaneous radiation dose and iodine reduction at stable image quality in computed tomography of the chest: A systematic approach using automated tube voltage adaption and iterative reconstructions.

Background: Aim of this study was to systematically combine tube voltage adaptation and iterative reconstructions for reduction of iodine and radiation dose.

Methods: Settings for the study protocol were evaluated in ex-ante trials to provide image quality that is comparable to a reference protocol at 120 kV with tube current modulation. Consecutive patients were randomized to undergo computed tomography (CT) of the chest using the study protocol (n = 62) or reference protocol (n = 50).

Feasibility of Respiratory-gated High-pitch Spiral CT:: Free-breathing Inspiratory Image Quality.

Rationale And Objectives: This study aimed to develop and implement a respiratory-gated setup for dual-source computed tomography (CT) at high pitch to examine patients in a reproducible inspiratory phase.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-one patients underwent free-breathing respiratory-gated chest CT using a high-pitch scan mode no more than 6 months after inspiratory breath-held nongated CT, which serves as reference. Scan parameters were as follows: pitch = 3.

Imaging Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Dynamic CT Before and After Transarterial Chemoembolization: Optimal Scan Timing of Arterial Phase.

Rationale And Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the optimal arterial phase delay for computed tomography imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) before and after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) using a low iodine dose protocol.

Materials And Methods: A total of 39 patients with known HCC were imaged with dynamic computed tomography of the liver (40-second scan duration, 60 mL of contrast medium), both on the same day before TACE and 1 day after TACE. Time attenuation curves of vessels, nonmalignant liver parenchyma, and 62 HCCs were normalized to a uniform aortic contrast arrival and analyzed.

Influence of Cardiac MR Imaging on DNA Double-Strand Breaks in Human Blood Lymphocytes.

Purpose: To evaluate the ability of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to induce deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage in patients who underwent cardiac MR imaging in daily routine by using γ-H2AX immunofluorescence microscopy.

Materials And Methods: This study complies with the Declaration of Helsinki and was performed according to local ethics committee approval. Informed patient consent was obtained.

Computed Tomography Angiography of Carotid Arteries and Vertebrobasilar System: A Simulation Study for Radiation Dose Reduction.

Computed tomography angiography (CTA) of carotid arteries and vertebrobasilar system is a standardized procedure with excellent image quality, but radiation exposure remains a matter of concern. The aim of this study is to examine to what extent radiation dose can be lowered in relation to a standard protocol by simulating examinations with lower tube currents applying a dedicated software.Lower tube current was simulated by a dedicated noise insertion and reconstruction software (ReconCT).

Influence of Different Antioxidants on X-Ray Induced DNA Double-Strand Breaks (DSBs) Using γ-H2AX Immunofluorescence Microscopy in a Preliminary Study.

Background: Radiation exposure occurs in X-ray guided interventional procedures or computed tomography (CT) and γ-H2AX-foci are recognized to represent DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) as a biomarker for radiation induced damage. Antioxidants may reduce the induction of γ-H2AX-foci by binding free radicals. The aim of this study was to establish a dose-effect relationship and a time-effect relationship for the individual antioxidants on DSBs in human blood lymphocytes.

Automated tube voltage selection in thoracoabdominal computed tomography at high pitch using a third-generation dual-source scanner: image quality and radiation dose performance.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the radiation dose and image quality performance of thoracoabdominal examinations with an automated tube voltage selection (tube voltage adaptation), tube current modulation, and high pitch using a third-generation dual-source computed tomography (CT) compared intraindividually with 120-kV examinations with tube current modulation with special attention on clinically relevant lesions in the liver, the lungs, and extrahepatic soft tissues.

Materials And Methods: This study was approved by the institutional review board. Computed tomography of the body was performed using a third-generation dual-source system in 95 patients (mean body mass index, 25 kg/m²; range, 18-35 kg/m²).

Contrast medium application in pediatric high-pitch cardiovascular CT angiography: manual or power injection?

Background: Dual-source CT offers accurate depiction of cardiac structures in children with congenital heart disease. For cardiac CT, optimal enhancement of the cardiovascular structures is essential. There is considerable controversy about the administration of contrast medium (CM) in infants and small children, with either a power injector or a manual (hand) injection.

Stereotactic vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB)--a patients' survey.

Aim: To analyze how patients experience Stereotactic guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB) both physically and mentally.

Patients And Methods: Two hundred and eleven consecutive women underwent VABB using one of two different biopsy devices (ATEC® and Mammotome®). Patients were queried using a questionnaire.

Automated tube voltage adaptation in head and neck computed tomography between 120 and 100 kV: effects on image quality and radiation dose.

Introduction: Low tube voltage allows for computed tomography (CT) imaging with increased iodine contrast at reduced radiation dose. We sought to evaluate the image quality and potential dose reduction using a combination of attenuation based tube current modulation (TCM) and automated tube voltage adaptation (TVA) between 100 and 120 kV in CT of the head and neck.

Methods: One hundred thirty consecutive patients with indication for head and neck CT were examined with a 128-slice system capable of TCM and TVA.

Whole body magnetic resonance angiography and computed tomography angiography in the vascular mapping of head and neck: an intraindividual comparison.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to compare the detectability of neck vessels with contrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in the setting of a whole-body MRA and multislice computed tomography angiography (CTA) for preoperative vascular mapping of head and neck.

Methods: In 20 patients MRA was performed prior to microvascular reconstruction of the mandible with osteomyocutaneous flaps. CTA of the neck served as the method of reference.

Local control of perivascular malignant liver lesions using percutaneous irreversible electroporation: initial experiences.

Purpose: This study was designed to assess efficacy and safety in the treatment of perivascular malignant liver lesions using percutaneous, computed tomography (CT)-guided irreversible electroporation (IRE).

Methods: Fourteen patients (mean age 58 ± 11 years) with 18 malignant liver lesions were consecutively enrolled in this study. IRE was performed in patients not eligible for surgery and lesions abutting large vessels or bile ducts.

Attenuation-based automatic kilovolt (kV)-selection in computed tomography of the chest: effects on radiation exposure and image quality.

Objectives: To evaluate an automated attenuation-based kV-selection in computed tomography of the chest in respect to radiation dose and image quality, compared to a standard 120 kV protocol.

Materials And Methods: 104 patients were examined using a 128-slice scanner. Fifty examinations (58 ± 15 years, study group) were performed using the automated adaption of tube potential (100-140 kV), based on the attenuation profile of the scout scan, 54 examinations (62 ± 14 years, control group) with fixed 120 kV.

Attenuation-based automatic kilovolt selection in abdominal computed tomography: effects on radiation exposure and image quality.

Objectives: Dose reduction has become a major issue in computed tomography (CT). The benefit of kilovolt (kV) reduction has been demonstrated in CT angiography. We sought to evaluate an attenuation-based fully automated kV-selection and milliampere second-adaption algorithm for CT and to assess radiation dose and image quality in comparison with a standard 120 kV protocol in contrast-enhanced (CE) portal-venous thoracoabdominal imaging.