AIM: To quantify the dose reduction and ensure that the use of a split-bolus protocol provided sufficient vascular enhancement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1 January 2014 and 31 May 2014, both split bolus and traditional two-phase scans were performed on a single CT scanner (SOMATOM Definition AS+, @entity5377 Healthcare) using a two-pump injector (Medrad Stellant). Both protocols used @entity5377 ' proprietary tube current and tube voltage modulation techniques (CARE dose and CARE kV). The protocols were compared retrospectively to assess the dose-length product (DLP), aortic radiodensity at the level of the @entity2270 and radiodensity of the portal vein. RESULTS: There were 151 @entity130 CT examinations during this period. Seventy-eight used the split-bolus protocol. Seventy-one had traditional two-phase imaging. One @entity1 was excluded as they were under the age of 18 years. The radiodensity measurements for the portal vein were significantly higher (p<0.001) in the split-bolus protocol. The mean aortic enhancement in both protocols exceeded 250  HU, although the traditional two-phase protocol gave greater arterial enhancement (p<0.001) than the split-bolus protocol. The split-bolus protocol had a significantly lower (p<0.001) DLP with 43.5% reduction in the mean DLP compared to the traditional protocol. CONCLUSION: Split-bolus CT imaging offers significant dose reduction for this relatively young population while retaining both arterial and venous enhancement.

Implementation of a split-bolus single-pass CT protocol at a UK major @entity130 centre to reduce excess radiation dose in XXXX pan-CT.

@entity2270 :: ('MESH:C566610', 'Disease') :: ['coeliac axis'] @entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patient'] @entity5377 :: ('MESH:D053560', 'Disease') :: ['Siemens'] @entity130 :: ('MESH:D014947', 'Disease') :: ['trauma']
@entity130 :: (MESH:D014947,Disease) :: ['trauma']
