Reduction of radiation dose in the spiral CT scan of the lumbar
spine by the combined use of body mass index (BMI) and automatic exposure
control (AEC)
Affiliations: Radiology Department of Shuguang Hospital Affiliated
to Shanghai University of TCM, Shanghai, China | Shu Guang Hospital, TCM Orthopedics and Traumatology,
Shanghai, China
Note: [] Corresponding author: Songhua Zhan, Radiology Department of
Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of TCM, Shanghai 200021,
China. Tel.: +86 158 2188 0788; Fax: +86 21 2025 6568; E-mail:
zhansonghua2245@163.com
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the
significance of the combined use of BMI and AEC in reducing the radiation dose
of CT volume scans of the lumbar spine. METHODS: A prospective study was performed to continuously collect data from 50 patients
(age range from 19 to 60 years, male versus female 20/30) whose BMIs were less
than 25 kg/m^{2} (group A) and 50 patients (age range from 21 to 82 years,
male versus female 24/26) whose BMIs were equal to or more than 25 kg/m^{2}
(group B). The 50 patients in each group were randomly divided into 5 subgroups
with each subgroup having lower radiation dose from subgroup 1 to 5. All the
patients were performed lumbar spiral CT scans (GE LightSpeed VCT 64-slice
scanner) and the scan parameters were different in different subgroups. Volume
CT dose index (CTDIvol) was recorded. The qualities of the images were graded.
The one-way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis test were done. RESULTS: Both in group A and B, there were significant differences in CTDIvol among the
5 subgroups (P< 0.001). The quality of the images in the 5 subgroups of
group A didn't show statistical difference. The standard deviation (SD) and
signal to noise ratio (SNR) values of the L4-5 psoas major muscles in subgroup
5 of group B was statistical different from the other 4 subgroups (P<
0.01). CONCLUSION: Use of BMI combined with AEC reduces
radiation dosage, without compromising the image quality. For patients in group
A and group B, parameters of subgroup 5 and subgroup 4 may respectively be
applied for lower dose CT scanning.
Keywords: Body mass index (BMI), automatic exposure control (AEC), spiral CT, radiation dosage, lumbar vertebrae
