Lung Cancer Screening
Guidance
Recommended CT Lung Screening Protocol
| Scan Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| A. Patient Positioning | Scan is performed with breath hold at full inspiration. Scan participant centred on scan table supine, arms above head, landmark for chest imaging. *If patient factors preclude this position, the technologist must document why this position is not possible. *If the patient is temporarily unable to be scanned in this position or with breath holding, the screening study should be rescheduled. |
| B. Localiser | Localiser images should be obtained as directed by the manufacturer to cover the area of the chest, not exceeding beyond the angle of the mandible superiorly and the iliac crest inferiorly |
| C. Scan Field of view | Include entire lung with quality measures in place to ensure over scanning is not routine. Note the scan field does not need to include the adrenals. |
| D. Display Field of View (DFOV) | 1-3 cm beyond outer rib margins (smaller DFOV provides smaller voxel size) |
| E. Detector Array | ≥ 16 detector rows |
| F. Acquisition mode | Helical |
| G. KV | Adjust for patient size. Automatic Exposure Control (AEC) is recommended |
| H. mA, or effective mAs | Adjust for patient size. Automatic Exposure Control (AEC) is recommended |
| I. Slice Spacing | Slice spacing ≤ slice thickness |
| J. Contrast Media | No contrast media |
| K. Lung/Sharp algorithm (kernel) | Three planes: Transverse, coronal and sagittal |
| L. Soft algorithm (kernel) | Transverse at a minimum |
| M. Slice reconstruction thickness | Recommendation 1.25 mm or less. Maximum slice thickness not to exceed 2.5 mm |
| N. Radiation Dose Management | CTDIvol must be ≤ 3.0 mGy for a standard sized patient. By definition, a standard sized patient is approximately 5’7″ and 155 pounds or 170 cm and 70 kg |