Optimization of the Image Quality and Radiation Dose in CT Chest Exposure Parameters

  • Unique Paper ID: 186275
  • PageNo: 943-952
  • Abstract:
  • Background: Chest computed tomography (CT) is a vital diagnostic tool, but it delivers one of the highest radiation doses among routine imaging examinations. Repeated exposure poses long-term risks, making optimization of scanning protocols essential. Adhering to the ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principle while preserving diagnostic image quality is a key priority in medical imaging. Methods: This study investigated the optimization of chest CT exposure parameters, including tube voltage (kVp), tube current (mAs), pitch, and scan length. Data were collected and analyzed to compare standard protocols with optimized scanning techniques. Radiation dose indices—CTDIvol, dose-length product (DLP), and effective dose—were measured, while image quality was evaluated through radiologists’ assessments of diagnostic adequacy. Results: Optimization strategies demonstrated that radiation dose could be reduced by nearly 25% without compromising diagnostic quality. The most significant reductions were achieved through lowering tube current, selecting practical tube voltage values (100–120 kVp), and minimizing scan length to the diagnostic region of interest. Pitch adjustments showed minimal impact within the operational range studied. The optimized protocol yielded consistent reductions in CTDIvol, DLP, and effective dose across the patient population, with radiologists confirming image quality remained clinically acceptable. Conclusion: Optimizing chest CT protocols can meaningfully lower radiation exposure while maintaining diagnostic adequacy. Simple measures—such as controlled tube current, disciplined scan length selection, and appropriate tube voltage—offer a safe and practical approach to dose reduction. These findings support the adoption of standardized, optimized protocols in routine clinical practice, aligning with international diagnostic reference levels and reinforcing radiation safety.

Copyright & License

Copyright © 2026 Authors retain the copyright of this article. This article is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

BibTeX

@article{186275,
        author = {Ashish Kumar and Dr Ashish Kumar Shukla and Anjali jain and Arif Hussain Malla and Bhawana joshi},
        title = {Optimization of the Image Quality and Radiation Dose in CT Chest Exposure Parameters},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {12},
        number = {6},
        pages = {943-952},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=186275},
        abstract = {Background: Chest computed tomography (CT) is a vital diagnostic tool, but it delivers one of the highest radiation doses among routine imaging examinations. Repeated exposure poses long-term risks, making optimization of scanning protocols essential. Adhering to the ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principle while preserving diagnostic image quality is a key priority in medical imaging.
Methods: This study investigated the optimization of chest CT exposure parameters, including tube voltage (kVp), tube current (mAs), pitch, and scan length. Data were collected and analyzed to compare standard protocols with optimized scanning techniques. Radiation dose indices—CTDIvol, dose-length product (DLP), and effective dose—were measured, while image quality was evaluated through radiologists’ assessments of diagnostic adequacy.
Results: Optimization strategies demonstrated that radiation dose could be reduced by nearly 25% without compromising diagnostic quality. The most significant reductions were achieved through lowering tube current, selecting practical tube voltage values (100–120 kVp), and minimizing scan length to the diagnostic region of interest. Pitch adjustments showed minimal impact within the operational range studied. The optimized protocol yielded consistent reductions in CTDIvol, DLP, and effective dose across the patient population, with radiologists confirming image quality remained clinically acceptable.
Conclusion: Optimizing chest CT protocols can meaningfully lower radiation exposure while maintaining diagnostic adequacy. Simple measures—such as controlled tube current, disciplined scan length selection, and appropriate tube voltage—offer a safe and practical approach to dose reduction. These findings support the adoption of standardized, optimized protocols in routine clinical practice, aligning with international diagnostic reference levels and reinforcing radiation safety.},
        keywords = {},
        month = {November},
        }

Cite This Article

Kumar, A., & Shukla, D. A. K., & jain, A., & Malla, A. H., & joshi, B. (2025). Optimization of the Image Quality and Radiation Dose in CT Chest Exposure Parameters. International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology (IJIRT), 12(6), 943–952.

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