Low-dose spine CT: optimisation and clinical implementation

Spinal deformities affect young individuals predominantly girls who are usually subjected to regular and intensive radiological investigation especially before and after corrective surgery. Optimisation of spine computed tomography (CT) and the implementation of the low-dose CT in the work-up of spinal deformities were presented. The presented low-dose CT here means providing the operating surgeons with essential information about 15 vertebral bodies (almost 36-cm long region of the vertebral column). The mean effective dose of the low-dose CT was 0.37 mSv without any negative impact on image quality with regard to answering the clinical questions at issue. Tube current modulation (angular and longitudinal) has contributed to 19 % of the total dose reduction and soft tissue algorithm has helped to reduce the artefacts from the metal implants in the postoperative CTs.