Low-dose 3D computed tomography of the pediatric hip

The purpose of this article was to determine the dependence of three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) images on absorbed dose in pediatric patients. While plain radiographs are often used as part of the initial evaluation of patients with congenital hip dislocation, it is well known that the performance of 3D CT may be necessary for a more complete evaluation. Because of special anatomical views, lateral views of the hip joints, which can be evaluated at 3D CT, cannot be seen on plain radiography. But absorbed dose of the reproductive organs of 3D CT is high compared with one of plain radiography. Typical manufactures preprogrammed protocols for 3D CT examinations were designed to produce images with low image noise and with high absorbed dose of organs. The low-dose technique that made use of lower milliampare second in the same incremental manner, could produce 3D CT image that was diagnostically acceptable but that slightly decreased in volume. This low dose technique could make 3D CT images of pediatric pelvis with maintained diagnostic quality at 60% reduction in absorbed dose. (author)