CHẤT LƯỢNG HÌNH ẢNH CỦA CẮT LỚP VI TÍNH LIỀU THẤP TRONG THEO DÕI CÁC BỆNH NHÂN CHẤN THƯƠNG SỌ NÃO

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the image quality of low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) in the monitoring of traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. Subjects and Methods: A comparative descriptive study was conducted on 36 TBI patients undergoing LDCT brain scans for follow-up using 80 kV parameters, compared with standard-dose CT (SDCT) scans at 130 kV performed upon admission at Viet-Duc Hospital from March 2024 to October 2024. Radiation dose parameters were collected, including CT dose index (CTDIvol), dose-length product (DLP), and effective dose (ED). Image quality was assessed based on criteria such as noise, image artifacts, anatomy, ventricles, cerebrospinal fluid, midline, white-gray matter differentiation, hematoma, hematoma margins, and postoperative foreign bodies. These criteria were scored as follows: 1 - good quality images, 2 - acceptable quality images, 3 - unacceptable quality images. Results: CTDIvol in LDCT was reduced by 35% compared to SDCT. DLP and ED were reduced by 45% in LDCT compared to SDCT. Most LDCT images (97%) were rated as sufficient for diagnostic purposes (good or acceptable quality). Moreover, over 60% of patients had rated LDCT images as comparable in quality to SDCT images. The quality of imaging for brain injury such as hematomas, hematoma margins, and postoperative foreign bodies showed no significant differences. Conclusion: LDCT significantly reduces radiation exposure while maintaining diagnostic image quality for monitoring TBI patients under treatment.