Effects of low-dose cone-beam computed tomography scanning protocols on image quality and radiation dose in patients with cervical cancer
10.13491/j.issn.1004-714X.2025.06.001
- VernacularTitle:低剂量CBCT扫描方案对宫颈癌图像质量及辐射剂量的影响
- Author:
Xinyue ZHOU
1
;
Yujuan ZHANG
2
;
Yue HAO
1
Author Information
1. The 73rd Group Army Hospital, Department of Gynecology, Xiamen 361000,China.
2. The 73rd Group Army Hospital, Department of Medical Imaging, Xiamen 361000,China.
- Publication Type:OriginalArticles
- Keywords:
Cervical cancer;
Cone-beam computed tomography;
Scanning parameter;
Image quality;
Radiation dose
- From:
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health
2025;34(6):783-788
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To investigate the effects of low-dose cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanning protocols on image quality and radiation dose in patients with cervical cancer. Methods A total of 96 patients with cervical cancer who underwent radiotherapy at a hospital between January 2022 and December 2024 were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into three groups based on CBCT scanning parameters: an ultra-low-dose group (30 cases), a low-dose group (30 cases), and a routine-dose group (36 cases). The tube voltage was set at 120 kV for all groups, while the tube currents were 132, 215, and 675.8 mAs, respectively. The effects of different scanning parameters on image quality, as indicated by spatial resolution, noise, uniformity, low-contrast resolution, and geometric accuracy, were analyzed. The radiation dose in patients under different scanning parameters was measured. An analysis of variance was performed. Results Under the three different scanning parameters, 4-6 clear line pairs were visible in each group. There were no significant differences in spatial resolution or geometric accuracy in different directions among groups (all P > 0.05). However, as the tube current increased, noise, uniformity, and low-contrast resolution decreased. When the tube current increased from 132 mAs to 215 mAs, noise decreased by approximately 33.57%, uniformity by approximately 26.30%, and low-contrast resolution by approximately 30.55%. When the tube current increased from 215 mAs to 675.8 mAs, noise decreased by approximately 35.61%, uniformity by approximately 12.68%, and low-contrast resolution by approximately 19.91%. These differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). The radiation doses in patients under different CBCT scanning parameters followed the order of ultra-low-dose group < low-dose group < routine-dose group, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion Reducing the tube current during CBCT scanning does not affect the image spatial resolution or geometric accuracy in cervical cancer patients, has a minimal impact on overall image quality, and effectively reduces the additional radiation dose received by patients.
