CTdBem – A New Protocol for Ultra Low Radiation Dose MDCT

This study describes a novel method of obtaining low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans followed by imaging postprocessing that provides diagnostic quality to such low-dose exams. In addition, we compared the Total Radiation Doses (DLP) of the 64-channel MDCT x 16-channel MDCT for a new Dental CT – CTdBem protocol for hospital use. DLP data obtained from 20 patients using 16-channel MDCT was compared with 20 other patients using 64-channel MDCT. In both tomographic (Aquilion 64 and Brightspeed 16) FOV was approximately 160(V) x 130(H) mm. An imaging postprocessing algorithm was used to provide diagnostic quality to the obtained low-dose CT scans. Imaging postprocessing included imaging smoothing, multiplanar reconstruction (MPR), and volume rendering (VR), as well as surface rendering (SR) to allow three-dimensional printing of the desired scans. The average DLPs were of 28,5 mGy.cm and 54,65 mGy.cm, using the 64-channel MDCT and 16-channel MDCT, respectively. The effective radiation dose (DLP) from the 64-channel MDCT statistically differs from the DLP data from 16-channel MDCT, resulting in a value of p < 0.05 for all comparisons. A novel low-dose CT protocol for dentomaxillofacial assessment using imaging postprocessing techniques is described. The authors concluded that although the DLP values differ statistically (p < 0.05), both equipment (64 and 16-channel MDCT) produce tomographic images of patients with low radiation doses. The greater the number of detectors, the lower the mAs product and, consequently, the amount of X-radiationproduced.