High-pitch dual-source paranasal sinus CT in agitated patients with maxillofacial trauma: analysis of image quality, motion artifacts, and dose aspects:

BackgroundImage quality benefits from high-pitch scanning in agitated patients by reducing acquisition time.PurposeTo compare image quality and exposure parameters in patients with maxillofacial trauma on second- and third-generation dual-source computed tomography (DSCT).Material and MethodsFour groups were compared. Group 1 was examined on second-generation DSCT (120 kV/50 mAs, pitch 3.0). The other three groups were examined on third-generation DSCT. Group 2 was scanned with 120 kV/50 mAs, pitch 2.2. Automated exposure control (AEC) was used in group 3 and group 4 with pitch factors of 2.2 and 3.0, respectively. Images of third-generation DSCT were reconstructed with iterative reconstruction (IR), of second-generation DSCT with filtered back-projection. CTDIvol, acquisition time, and image quality were compared.ResultsThirty patients were included in each group. Average CTDIvol (2.76 ± 0.00 mGy, 2.66 ± 0.00 mGy, 0.74 ± 0.23 mGy, and 0.75 ± 0.17 mGy) was significantly lower on third-generation DSCT with...