Effect of Lowering Tube Potential and Increase Iodine Concentration of Contrast Medium on Radiation Dose and Image Quality in Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography Procedure: A Phantom Study

Authors

Justin E Ngaile, Radiation Control Directorate, Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission, PO Box 743, Arusha, Tanzania.Follow
Peter K Msaki, Department of Physics, University of Dar es Salaam, PO Box 35063, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.Follow
Evarist M Kahuluda, Radiation Control Directorate, Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission, PO Box 743, Arusha, Tanzania.Follow
Furaha M Chuma, Radiation Control Directorate, Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission, PO Box 743, Arusha, Tanzania.Follow
Jerome M Mwimanzi, Radiation Control Directorate, Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission, PO Box 743, Arusha, Tanzania.Follow
Ahmed M Jusabani, The Agha Khan Hospital, PO Box 2289, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.Follow

Section

Physical Sciences

Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine the effect of lowering tube potential and increase iodine concentration on image quality and radiation dose in computed tomography pulmonary angiography procedure. The pulmonary arteries were simulated by three syringes. The syringes were filled with 1:10 diluted solutions of 300 mg, 350 mg and 370 mg of iodine per millilitre concentration in three water-filled phantoms simulating thin, intermediate and thick patients. The phantoms were scanned at 80 kVp, 110 kVp and 130 kVp and 0.6 second rotation time using a 16 slice computed tomography (CT) scanner. The tube current was either fixed at 80, 100, 200, 250 and 300 mA or automatically adjusted with quality reference tube current-time product (mAsQR). In comparison with 130 kVp, images acquired at 80 kVp and 110 kVp, respectively, showed 76.2% to 99% and 19% to 26% enhancement in CT attenuation of iodinated contrast material. A volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) reduction by 35.3% was attained in small phantom with the use of 80 kVp, while in the medium phantom, a CTDIvol reduction by 29.9% was attained with the use of 110 kVp instead of 130 kVp. In light of the above, lowering tube potential and increase iodinated CM could substantially reduce the dose to small-sized adults and children. Keywords:    Angiography, Computed tomography, Low tube potential, Iodinated contrast medium, Radiation dose.

Recommended Citation

Ngaile, Justin E; Msaki, Peter K; Kahuluda, Evarist M; Chuma, Furaha M; Mwimanzi, Jerome M; and Jusabani, Ahmed M (2021) "Effect of Lowering Tube Potential and Increase Iodine Concentration of Contrast Medium on Radiation Dose and Image Quality in Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography Procedure: A Phantom Study," Tanzania Journal of Science: Vol. 47: Iss. 3, Article 29.
Available at:https://doi.org/10.4314/tjs.v47i3.29