Comparison of Image Quality of Low Voltage 64-Slice Multidetector CT Angiography (80 Kilovoltage) With Standard Condition (100 Kilovoltage) in Patients Suspected of Pulmonary Emboli

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Comparing quality of images at 80 kV versus 100 kV Patients and Methods: In a non-randomized triple blind parallel quasi-experimental study, we evaluated 140 suspicious cases of pulmonary emboli by either 80 or 100 kV CT angiography. Results: Quality of images was better in 80 kV group (OR, 2.08). Vascular enhancement was significantly higher in all main, segmental and subsegmental arteries (P < 0.001 in all) in 80 kV group as well. Mean number of measurable segmental arteries was also significantly higher among 80 voltage group. On the other hand, mean of image noise was higher (68.4 vs. 43.1) among images with 80 kV (P < 0.001). Received radiation dosage in the group with 80 kV and the group with100 kV were 0.94 and 2.43 mSv, respectively (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Despite worse image noise, received radiation dosage was lower, and image quality was better in cases with 80 kV in comparison with 100 kV.