Microsievert Wide-Volume Versus Spiral Computed Tomography Using an Automatic Exposure Control System in the Diagnosis of Foreign Body Aspiration in Children

Background: Foreign body aspiration (FBA) in childhood is a life-threatening condition that necessitates prompt management to prevent devastating complications. Different imaging methods are used in the diagnosis of FBA.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic value and dose of microsievert wide-volume computed tomography (μSv-WV-CT) with multidetector computed tomography using an automatic exposure control system (MDCT-AEC) in children with FBA.

Material and methods: In this single-center cross-sectional study, 102 cases diagnosed with FBA between September 2013 and September 2021 were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the diagnostic modality used: group A, μSv-WV-CT (2016-2021) and group B, MDCT-AEC (2013-2021). The diagnostic performance and radiation dose of the 2 groups were statistically compared.

Results: The diagnostic performance (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy) of the 2 groups was similar. The mean effective radiation dose of group A was 34.89 ± 0.01 μSv, which was significantly lower than that of group B (179.75 ± 114.88 μSv) ( P < 0.001).

Conclusion: In children with suspected FBA, μSv-WV-CT at a lower radiation dose had similar diagnostic performance to MDCT-AEC.