Investigation of an optimized scanning protocol for the dentomaxillofacial region using 320-slice multidetector computed tomography

To propose an imaging protocol that provides satisfactory image quality for oral examination while minimizing radiation dosage using 320-slice multidetector CT (MDCT). An anthropomorphic head phantom was scanned using 320 MDCT with protocols combining different scanning modes: volume scanning (whole or local) vs helical scanning (80- or 64-slice detectors); tube voltage settings (80 kVp, 120 kVp and 135 kVp); and tube current settings (60 mA, 80 mA, 100 mA and 120 mA). A total of six anatomical bone structures and three anatomical soft-tissue structures were assessed using quantitative and qualitative analysis in the three orthographic planes (axial, sagittal and coronal). A figure of merit (FOM) was used to determine the optimal imaging protocol in terms of tube voltage, tube current and scanning mode. The 80-kVp setting had the worst quantitative and qualitative results (both p