Abstract:

Objective To investigate the application of CARE kV technique in chest computed tomography (CT) scanning. Methods A total of 140 patients suspected with chest diseases were randomly divided into experiment group and control group, and underwent chest scanning with CARE kV technique and routine kV technique respectively. The CT values, image noise, signal-to-noise ratios and contrast to noise ratios of apex of lung, level of descending aorta bifurcation of trachea and middle area of left atrium were measured. The image quality was assessed with 5-point scale. The CT dose indexes of volume (CTDIvol), dose length product (DLP) and effective doses (ED) were recorded and compared between groups. Results All the images in two groups could satisfy the requirement of diagnosis. There was no significant difference in the CT values of apex of lung, level of descending aorta bifurcation of trachea and middle area of left atrium between two groups (P＞0.05). The image noise in experiment group was significantly higher than that in control group (P＜0.001), and the signal-to-noise ratio in experiment group was significantly lower than that in control group (P＜0.001). There was no significant difference in the contrast to noise ratio of level of descending aorta bifurcation of trachea between two groups (P＞0.05). CTDIvol, DLP and ED in experiment group were significantly lower than those in control group (P＜0.001). Conclusion CARE kV scanning in chest CT examination could significantly reduce the radiation dosage and satisfy the requirement of diagnosis, which has the potential of clinical value.

Key words: CARE kV, tomography, chest, image quality, radiation dosage