Dual energy CT of the chest: how about the dose?

Objective: New generation Dual Source computed tomography (CT) scanners offer different x-ray spectra for Dual Energy imaging. Yet, an objective, manufacturer independent verification of the dose required for the different spectral combinations is lacking. The aim of this study was to assess dose and image noise of 2 different Dual Energy CT settings with reference to a standard chest scan and to compare image noise and contrast to noise ratios (CNR).

Saving dose in triple-rule-out computed tomography examination using a high-pitch dual spiral technique.

Objective: High radiation doses remain a drawback of current triple-rule-out computed tomography (CT) protocols. With dual source CT, a new high-pitch dual spiral technique offers the possibility to acquire an Electrocardiography (ECG)-gated-synchronized dataset of the whole chest in less than 1 second. The aim of this study was to compare the dose of such a protocol to a standard, nongated chest scan and to a conventional, retrospectively ECG-gated triple-rule-out protocol.