Statistics indicate a child, born today, has a higher probability of receiving one or more CT scans in a lifetime than ever before. In an effort to address this and expand its leadership role in reducing CT radiation dose to all patients, particularly children (watch for a CT Scans for Children Special Report in the February issue of DOTmed Business News), GE Healthcare has sponsored the development of newly validated procedure-based protocols. The protocols can now be downloaded from its website (below), free of charge.

Dr. Mannudeep K. Kalra, Dr. Sjirk Westra, and Sarabjeet Singh, MBBS, MMST, in conjunction with GE Healthcare, have developed a dose-reduction solution, which lowers radiation by accounting for a patient's weight, scan type, number of prior CT studies and 3D automatic exposure control. These parameters then direct the user to one of three "color zones," the basis of procedure-based protocols. Within each color zone, an automatically controlled exposure level is determined by one of five weight categories. GE Healthcare has long embraced the ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principle. These newly validated protocols represent the latest additions to its growing portfolio of dose reduction capabilities.

"With procedure-based zones, radiologists can control levels of radiation dose to the target region of interest in an efficient and seamless manner based on the three scan types: routine scans, a low dose option, or non-cardiac CT angiography," says Dr. Kalra. "Prior publications have shown that adjusting scanning protocols to patient size or weight, particularly for children, is an efficient method for reducing dose while maintaining diagnostic quality," he adds. "Published literature also shows that mA and kVp are the most frequently adapted techniques for optimizing dose to patient size."

Upon further examination of pediatric CT studies conducted on the same patients before and after implementation of procedure-based protocols, Kalra and Singh found that, while dose can be reduced, lack of consistent use is an issue. Initially, slightly more than half of chest CT and nearly 75% of abdominal CT studies were performed according to the procedure-based protocols. The compliance increased to 80% following additional radiologists and technologist training on the rationale behind using the protocols. Kalra and Singh found a significant dose reduction without compromising the diagnostic utility of CT images when the new protocols were fully implemented.

"With children, it is particularly important to minimize dose from the CT scanner," observed Gene Saragnese, Vice President and General Manager of GE's Global CT and Molecular Imaging businesses. "We implemented these protocols, as well as the entire CT 4Kids solution they're part of, as ways for GE Healthcare to continue our leadership role in dose optimization while maintaining image quality. This is a delicate balance. Yet, we believe providing these procedure-based protocols at no charge will ultimately benefit all patients who receive exams on GE systems."

In addition to launching the newly developed protocols, GE Healthcare is also a sponsor of "Image Gently," an initiative of the Alliance for Radiation Safety in Pediatric Imaging (www.imagegently.com). GE Healthcare's goals mirror those of the Alliance in raising awareness of the opportunities to lower dose in the imaging of children.

Sean Farley, spokesperson for the Alliance, states, "In partnership with 13 societies and with help from companies like GE Healthcare, we've been able to use our messaging to affect clinical practice and make a real change for our children."

GE Healthcare has made these protocols available, for free viewing and downloading, on the newly launched website, http://www.gehealthcare.com/usen/ct/products/ct4kids_index.html.