Thursday, December 4 | 9:35 a.m.-9:45 a.m. | VSVA51-06 | Room E352
How much can dose be reduced in CT angiography (CTA) while preserving image quality in the latest dual-source CT (DSCT) scanners? Dr. Florian Schwarz and colleagues from the University of Munich looked at the image quality and radiation dose-saving potential of advanced dual-source CT.The sophisticated CT scan protocol included a third-generation detector (Somatom Force, Siemens Healthcare). The researchers examined integrated signal transformation, high-pitch acquisition, automatic kVp selection, and iterative reconstruction. Except for the detector, a similar protocol was used for the second-generation images (Somatom Flash, Siemens).
Dose and image quality, measured as signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio, were examined in matched cohorts of 55 patients each on both scanner generations set to a range of tube potentials.
The results showed significantly decreased dose-length product and even slightly improved signal-to-noise ratio on the third-generation machine. The presentation will delve into the details.
"This study highlights the importance of a rapid and successful translation of the considerable engineering progress [in recent] years into radiation dose reduction and thus patient benefit," Schwarz told AuntMinnie.com.
![Axial images from unenhanced calcium score cardiac CT (left) and curved planar reformation images from CT angiography (right) show that higher long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with greater coronary artery calcium and more obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). Top row: Images in a 68-year-old male patient with higher 10-year mean ambient air pollution exposure (7.9 μg/m3 for particulate matter measuring ≤2.5 μm in diameter [PM2.5] and 17.4 parts per billion [ppb] for NO2) with extensive CAD (coronary artery calcium score [CACS] >1,000 and obstructive CAD [≥70% diameter stenosis]). Bottom row: Images in a 57-year-old female patient with lower 10-year mean ambient air pollution exposure (6.3 μg/m3 for PM2.5 and 4.6 ppb for NO2) with no CAD (CACS = 0 and no obstructive stenosis).](https://img.auntminnie.com/mindful/smg/workspaces/default/uploads/2026/06/hanneman.r6SMLzkezo.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=2&fit=crop&h=167&q=70&w=250)
