A LESSON from AUTOMATIC TUBE VOLTAGE SELECTION: FEASIBILITY of 100 kVp in PORTAL VENOUS PHASE ABDOMINAL CT

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between ATVS-recommended tube voltage and patient body habitus and to compare radiation dose and diagnostic performance between fixed 120-kVp and ATVS protocols in portal venous phase abdomen CT. Methods: A total of 907 portal venous phase abdominal CTs were evaluated. Radiation dose in the ATVS protocol was compared according to tube voltage (80, 100 or 120 kVp). Quantitative image analysis and diagnostic performance were compared between 81 pairs of CT using ATVS and fixed 120-kVp protocols. Results: Most CT examinations with ATVS were performed with 80 or 100 kVp. The average reduction rate of radiation dose in the ATVS protocol was 15.4%. There was no significant difference in diagnostic performance (p = 0.388) between ATVS and fixed 120-kVp protocols. Conclusions: In conclusion, ATVS frequently selected 80 or 100 kVp for portal venous phase abdominal CT without impairing the diagnostic performance, even with filtered back projection.