Value of low-dose multi-slice spiral CT chest scan in diagnosis of coal workers' pneumoconiosis

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the value of low-dose multi-slice CT (MSCT) chest scan in the diagnosis of coal workers' pneumoconiosis. Methods: A total of 90 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of coal workers' pneumoconiosis were enrolled, and under the conditions of fixed tube voltage, pitch, and slice thickness, they underwent CT scan with a normal dose (150 mA) and a low dose (30-50 mA). The quality of images obtained from two scans was compared, and the imaging findings, opacity profusion, stage, and radiation doses were also compared. Results: Compared with the normal-dose scan, low-dose scan increased the image noise, and the images obtained from scans with doses of 30, 40, and 50 mA did not show significant reductions in signal-to-noise ratio or contrast-to-noise ratio (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the percentage of image quality between low-dose and normal-dose scans (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in the percentage of various imaging findings, opacity profusion, or percentage of different stages between low-dose (30, 40, and 50 mA) and normal-dose (150 mA) scans (P>0.05). Conclusion: There are no significant differences between low-dose MSCT chest scan and normal-dose CT in image quality, imaging findings of coal workers' pneumoconiosis, opacity profusion, and stage. Meanwhile, low-dose MSCT chest scan greatly reduces the radiation dose and can be used to assist the diagnosis and follow-up reexamination of coal workers' pneumoconiosis and cover the shortage of high-kilovoltage chest X-ray.