New imaging software developed and currently in use at the Cincinnati Children's Medical Center has enabled physicians to expose children to significantly less radiation during CT scans, according to two studies published online June 19 in the journal Radiology.
The imaging software mathematically determines the lowest possible radiation dose for a patient based on the size of each patient, before each scan is performed. The software also allows radiologists to monitor a scan, slice-by-slice, to ensure the right dose has been used.
"Radiologists have had to rely on a trial-and-error approach to optimizing CT radiation dose," David Larson, M.D., radiation quality and safety director at the Cincinnati Children's Medical Center, said in a statement. "This model allows us to more accurately walk that fine line of precise dosing. Announcement