[Coronary Artery Visualization by Using the 64-row MDCT in Pediatric Patients]

Takayuki Yoshiura; Takanori Masuda; Tomoyasu Sato; Yukari Kikuhara; Yukie Kobayashi; Tooru Ishibashi; Takayuki Oku; Masato Yoshida; Yoshinori Funama

doi:10.6009/jjrt.2022-1194

[Coronary Artery Visualization by Using the 64-row MDCT in Pediatric Patients]

Nihon Hoshasen Gijutsu Gakkai Zasshi. 2022 Aug 20;78(8):856-863. doi: 10.6009/jjrt.2022-1194. Epub 2022 Jul 20.

[Article in Japanese]

Authors

Takayuki Yoshiura^{1

2}, Takanori Masuda³, Tomoyasu Sato¹, Yukari Kikuhara¹, Yukie Kobayashi¹, Tooru Ishibashi¹, Takayuki Oku¹, Masato Yoshida¹, Yoshinori Funama⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medical Technology, Tsuchiya General Hospital.
² Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kumamoto University.
³ Department of Medical Technology, Tsuchiya General Hospital (Current address: Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Science and Technology, Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare).
⁴ Department of Medical Physics, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University.

PMID: 35858799
DOI: 10.6009/jjrt.2022-1194

Abstract

Purpose: We retrospectively evaluated the visualization of pediatric coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) images by using the 64-detector row CT scanner between the electrocardiogram-gated helical scan and non-electrocardiogram-gated helical scan.

Methods: From January 2015 to March 2019, 100 children who underwent CT angiography examination were retrospectively enrolled. Group A consisted of 50 patients with electrocardiogram-gated helical scan. Group B consisted of 50 patients with non-electrocardiogram-gated helical scan. All patients were scanned using a 64-detector row CT scanner (LightSpeed VCT), and helical scans were acquired. The CT scanning parameters were 0.4-s rotation, 0.625-mm slice thickness, 0.24 (group A) helical pitch (beam pitch), 1.375 (group B) helical pitch (beam pitch), 80 kVp, and 50-300 mA (noise index 40). A retrospective method was used for electrocardiogram gated. To compare the radiation dose, CT volume dose index (CTDI_vol) and dose length product (DLP) displayed on the console were recorded. The visualization scores of the coronary artery images were compared between each group.

Results: In group A, CTDI_vol and DLP values were 6.74 (1.05-11.97) mGy and 79.87 (15.90-146.65) mGy·cm, respectively. In group B, CTDI_vol and DLP values were 0.51 (0.39-0.95) mGy and 8.15 (6.30-17.50) mGy·cm, respectively. There were significant differences in CTDI_vol and DLP values between both groups (p<0.05). The visualization rates for the proximal and distal coronary arteries were 88% and 54% for the right coronary artery, 84% and 58% for the left anterior descending artery, and 66% and 30% for the left circumflex branch in group A, respectively. The visualization rates for the proximal and distal coronary arteries were 52% and 0% for the right coronary artery, 56% and 0% for the left anterior descending artery, and 32% and 0% for the left circumflex branch in group B.

Conclusion: In 64-row multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), the visualization rates for the proximal and distal coronary arteries were significantly higher in the electrocardiogram-gated scan, but the exposure dose was several times higher in the pediatric CCTA. For accurate diagnosis in pediatric coronary arteries, electrocardiogram-gated helical scan should be performed.

Keywords: computed tomography (CT); contrast enhancement; contrast materials; pediatric.

MeSH terms

Child
Coronary Angiography / methods
Coronary Vessels* / diagnostic imaging
Humans
Multidetector Computed Tomography*
Radiation Dosage
Retrospective Studies
Tomography Scanners, X-Ray Computed