Automated CT Dose-Tracking Software Effective in Monitoring Dose

Automated dose tracking software provides an effective and easy way of monitoring radiation dose exposure in a busy academic practice, according to a study presented today at the 2014 ARRS Annual Meeting  in San Diego, Calif.

Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital in Dorchester performed a retrospective study to evaluate the applicability of dose tracking software for monitoring radiation dose in routine non-contrast abdominal CT exams and the impact of various commercially available iterative reconstruction (IR) algorithms on image quality and dose reduction. Twelve scanners were from GE, three from Siemens and two from Philips.

“A busy practice with diverse CT technology and remote scanner locations encounters challenges in assessing institutional performance in lowering radiation doses,” coauthor Yasir Andrabi said in a release. “Software-based dose monitoring simplifies the complex and essential quality and safety assurance with CT scanning irrespective of the scanner location.”

The researchers assessed all CT exams performed between December 2012 and August 2013 on 17 scanners, retrieved using eXposure^TM software. Out of 83,350 CT exams, 25,530 exams (31 percent) were performed for GI/GU indications. Using the software, the researchers further tracked the dose profiles of 1,450 non-contrast abdominal exams performed for various indications and relevant radiation dose information was evaluated to track radiation dose patterns.

Dose variability within scanners:

Dose variability between reconstruction algorithms:

Dose variability within iterative reconstruction (IR) algorithms:

“Dose tracking software provides an effective and easy way of monitoring radiation dose exposure in a busy academic practice,” the researchers concluded. “IR irrespective of manufacturer significantly reduce radiation dose in abdominal CT exams.”