320 Bit CT Scanners Offer Less Radiation Exposure Than 64 Bit – New Technology Making the Difference With One Rotation

I know this sounds a bit odd that when we went from 16 bit to 64 bit, the radiation exposure went up and you would think 320 bit would be even more, but not so, we are going backwards now as the beam exposure in circling the body is less, so now more is less. 64 bit has been the standard for years and technology is moving quickly here.

When I was given a tour of Long Beach Memorial Miller Children’s Hospital this was one of the items they included in their new building. Original plans had called for older technology but when 320 became available, plans changed. This was one of many left turns the hospital made in the 5 years it took to finish the new building and a good example and reminder on how you have to be up to date and see what’s out there. Also, be ready for that left turn at any intersection of any project today.

Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach – Brand New Pavilion Carries Focus on Patients and “Green”

If you are concerned about radiation exposure with CT scans, remember in this case 320 has less exposure than 64 bit. BD

ScienceDaily (Feb. 23, 2010) — In a new study published in the March issue of Radiology, researchers from Columbia University and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute have determined that an imaging exam of the heart using the latest generation of CT technology exposes patients to as much as 91 percent less radiation than standard helical CT scanning.

Many coronary CT angiography exams are conducted on 64-detector row CT scanners, which can image four centimeters at a time. The latest generation of CT technology, a 320-detector row volume CT scanner, can image 16 centimeters -- or the entire length of the heart -- in a single rotation and within a single heartbeat.

In his study, Dr. Einstein and a team of researchers compared the radiation exposure incurred during a coronary CT angiography procedure using a 64-detector row helical scanning and volume scanning, using a 320-detector row volume CT scanner. Phantoms simulating the male and female body were imaged using six different scan modes.

As CT technology advanced from 16- to 64-slice capabilities, the radiation dose went up significantly," he said. "Today, technology development is going in the opposite direction, reducing radiation exposure."

New cardiac CT technology drastically reduces patient radiation exposure