Feasibility of high-resolution, low-dose chest CT in evaluating the pediatric chest.

Thin-section, high-resolution (1.0/1.5 mm thick slices), low-dose chest CT scans were performed in 55 infants and children. The studies were carried out with 1- and 2-s scan (data acquisition) times using a high-resolution (bone) algorithm. Although there was some motion artifact, the studies provided valuable information for evaluating diffuse parenchymal lung disease. The thin slices provided finer detail and more diagnostic information than images representing thicker sections. Most studies were performed using between 40 and 80 mAs. It is estimated that the patients' radiation exposure was 20% that of conventional high-resolution CT (HRCT) and 57% that of routine chest CT. Diagnostic HRCT scans can be obtained in infants and young children without the need for suspended respiration or specialized ultrafast CT scanners.