{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Clinical Question Influence on Radiation Dose of Cardiac CT Scan in Children.
{Author}: Adla T;Kočí M;Suchánek V;Šalagovičová Z;Polovinčák M;Mikšík L;Janoušek J;Roček M;
{Journal}: Children (Basel)
{Volume}: 9
{Issue}: 8
{Year}: Aug 2022 5
{Factor}: 2.835
{DOI}: 10.3390/children9081172
{Abstract}: Background: To assess the impact of different clinical questions on radiation doses acquired during cardiac computed tomography in children. Methods: A total of 116 children who underwent cardiac CT on a third-generation dual-source CT scanner were included. The clinical questions were divided into three main categories: the extent of scanning in the z-axis, coronary artery assessment and cardiac function assessment. Radiation dose values represented as a dose-length product (DLP) in mGy*cm were recorded from the CT scanner protocols. Results: There were significantly higher doses in cases with cardiac function assessment (median DLP 348 versus 59 mGy*cm, p < 0.01) and in cases with coronary artery assessment (median DLP 133 versus 71 mGy*cm, p < 0.01). Conclusion: The most important factor was the assessment of cardiac function, where the median radiation dose was 4.3× higher in patients with a request for cardiac function assessment. We strongly recommend that clinical requests for cardiac CT should be carefully considered in the paediatric population.