Using breast shields during pediatric chest MDCT reduces radiation dose and minimally increases image noise, according to a recent study. The study showed that the bismuth breast shield reduced radiation dose to the breast by 26% and shielding and ATCM reduced the dose by 52%. The study also showed that multiple organ doses were lowest when the shield was placed after the scout radiograph was obtained. With this technique, image noise increased, but the images were still of good quality.
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