Thoracic Imaging

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Photon Counting CT scanner Stanford Childrens Hospital

The mainstay of advanced thoracic imaging is CT.  The CT service at Stanford Children’s delivers high-quality, low-dose diagnostic CT imaging tailored to clinical needs, with or without contrast, and with an emphasis on avoiding sedation or anesthesia whenever feasible. Through close collaboration with nurses, anesthesiologists, and child life specialists, we strive to ensure a positive and supportive experience for children and their families. Every CT study request is carefully reviewed and protocolled by our team prior to scheduling, ensurin optimal clinical outcomes.

Thoracic Imaging Faculty

Beverley Newman	Amirhossein Sarrami

Clinical indications:  cystic fibrosis, asthma, pulmonary infections, pulmonary metastases

Radiation dose tracking: Tracking and comparing radiation dose on the new photon counting scanner vs prior CT scanner shows significantly lower doses for chest CT where we have been more aggressive in adjusting dose parameters. We are currently extending this work to other body parts. Figure 1 (below) shows routine chest CT dose has markedly decreased in the past year .

Noncontrast PCCT: The image be low is a magnified axial lung window image 1mm thick. It shows an Endobronchial benign tumor obstructing a small lateral anterior right upper lobe bronchial branch in a teenage girl.