More articles from Pediatric Neuroimaging
- Full Dose-Reduction Potential of Statistical Iterative Reconstruction for Head CT Protocols in a Predominantly Pediatric Population
The authors set out to determine the maximum level of statistical iterative reconstruction that can be used to establish dose-reduced head CT protocols in a primarily pediatric population while maintaining similar appearance and level of image noise in the reconstructed image. Dose-reduced head protocols using an adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction were compared for image quality with the original filtered back-projection reconstructed protocols in a phantom and CT dose index and image noise magnitude were assessed in 737 pre- and post-dose-reduced examinations. Implementation of 40% and 60% adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction led to an average reduction in the volume CT dose index of 43% for brain, 41% for orbit, 30% for maxilla, 43% for sinus, and 42% for temporal bone protocols for patients between 1 month and 26 years of age, while improving the contrast-to-noise ratio of low-contrast soft-tissue targets.
- How to Reduce Head CT Orders in Children with Hydrocephalus Using the Lean Six Sigma Methodology: Experience at a Major Quaternary Care Academic Children's Center
The authors describe a Lean Six Sigma project with the goal of reducing the relative use of pediatric head CTs in their population of patients with hydrocephalus by 50% within 6 months. The existing baseline imaging practice for hydrocephalus was outlined in a Kaizen session, and potential interventions were discussed. An improved radiation-free workflow with ultrafast MR imaging was created. Baseline data were collected for 3 months by using the departmental radiology information system and data collection continued postintervention and during the control phase. The improved workflow resulted in a 75% relative reduction in the percentage of hydrocephalus imaging performed by CT between the pre- and postintervention/control phases. The authors conclude that the lean interventions in the pediatric hydrocephalus care pathway resulted in a significant reduction in head CT orders.