@article { author = {Davoodi, Mohammad and Belash-Abadi, Soudabeh and Aalaei-Andabili, Seyed Hossein and Kabir, Ali}, title = {Comparison of Image Quality of Low Voltage 64-slice Multidetector CT Angiography with the Standard Condition in Patients Suspected of Pulmonary Embolism}, journal = {Iranian Journal of Medical Physics}, volume = {15}, number = {4}, pages = {237-242}, year = {2018}, publisher = {Mashhad University of Medical Sciences}, issn = {2345-3672}, eissn = {2345-3672}, doi = {10.22038/ijmp.2018.27829.1302}, abstract = {Introduction: Reduction of peak kilovoltage (kV) setting has been a useful approach to d creating radiation dose; however, it may have varied effects on noise and the accuracy of diagnosis. Thus, we compared image quality between low (80 kV) and standard kilovoltage (100 kV) protocols. Material and Methods: This triple blind non-randomized parallel quasi-experimental study was conducted on 140 cases of questionable pulmonary embolism. Results: Image quality was twice as high as the standard protocol in the 80-kV group (odds ratio=2.08). Main, segmental, and subsegmental arteries showed significantly higher vascular enhancement (P<0.001) in the 80-kV group. Similarly, the mean number of measurable segmental arteries was significantly greater in the 80-kV group relative to the standard group. On the other hand, the mean of image noise was significantly higher in the 80-kV group in comparison with the 100-kV group (mean: 68.4 vs. 43.1; P<0.001). Finally, the mean of radiation dose received in the 80-kV group was significantly lower than that in the 100-kV group (mean: 0.94 vs. 2.43 mSv; P<0.001). Conclusion: Lower radiation dose received and higher image quality, but worse image noise, in the 80-kV group compared to the 100-kV group present acceptable evidence in support of reduction of voltage in cases with the suspicion of pulmonary embolism. In these patients, therefore, it is recommended as a good strategy to be adopted in computed tomography angiography.}, keywords = {Image Enhancement,Image Quality,Computed Tomography Angiography,Pulmonary Embolism,Radiation Dosage}, url = {https://ijmp.mums.ac.ir/article_10553.html}, eprint = {https://ijmp.mums.ac.ir/article_10553_0be680b1c8c1624d913817e64bde186a.pdf} }