Traditionally, the application of UHR in pediatric imaging has been problematic due to the high dose penalty associated with conventional EID-CT scanners. The advancement of Quantum HD technology has mitigated this dose penalty issue, making UHR imaging more feasible and beneficial for pediatric exams.
For example, it has been demonstrated that reduced dose Quantum HD permits diagnostic CT image quality at radiation doses similar to that of chest radiography, while allowing reproducible cystic fibrosis grading (Brody II findings) [21]. This underscores the clinical value of UHR in pediatric imaging, particularly for conditions where frequent imaging is required [7], [21], [22], [23].
Additionally, increased resolution may translate to earlier detection of lung nodules, which is crucial for pediatric patients with cancer [22]. Specifically, enhanced resolution impacts decisions to perform metastasectomy, potentially improving outcomes for children with metastatic disease.
Finally, a multi-center review paper provided a list of sample pediatric protocols over 50% of which include a UHR series (see Table 2), highlighting its growing importance and adoption in clinical practice [23].
Table 2: Sample pediatric protocols suggested by Horst et al. [23] heavily favor the inclusion of UHR series. SR = Standard Resolution; ME = Multienergy; UHR = Ultra High Resolution.