The Feasibility of Low-dose Chest CT Acquisition Protocol for the Imaging of COVID-19 Pneumonia

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of low-dose chest CT acquisition protocol for the imaging of COVID 19 disease or suspects of this disease in adults. Methods: In this retrospective case-control study, the study group consisted of 141 patients who were imaged with low dose chest CT acquisition protocol. The control group consisted of 92 patients who were imaged with standard protocol. Anteroposterior and lateral diameters of chest, effective diameter and scan length, qualitative and quantitative noise levels, volumetric CT Dose Index (CTDIvol), Dose Length Product (DLP), and size-specific dose estimations were compared between groups. Results: Radiation dose reduction by nearly 90% (CTDIvol, and DLP values 1.06 mGy and 40.3 mGy.cm vs. 8.07 mGy and 330 mGy.cm , respectively; p < 0.001) was achieved with the use of low-dose acquisition chest CT protocol. Despite higher image noise with low-dose acquisition protocol, no significant effect on diagnostic confidence was encountered. Cardiac and diaphragm movement-related artifacts were similar in both groups (p=0.275). Interobserver agreement was very good in terms of diagnostic confidence assessment. Conclusion: For the imaging of COVID-19 pneumonia or suspects of this disease in adults, low-dose chest CT acquisition protocol provides remarkable radiation dose reduction without adversely affecting image quality and diagnostic confidence.