• Chih-Hsiang Ko, Shiou-Ping Lee, Yi-Chien Hsieh, Yuan-Hao Lee, Melissa Min-Szu Yao, and Wing P Chan.
• Department of Radiology, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University.
• Medicine (Baltimore). 2021 Jun 25; 100 (25): e26277e26277.

BackgroundRadiosensitivity in the breasts increases the risk of carcinogenesis from exposure to the ionizing radiation of computed tomography (CT) administered in the course of medical attention. Bismuth shielding techniques have been used to reduce radiation, but image noise increased, degrading image quality.PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate how the use of iterative reconstruction (IR) combined with bismuth shielding influences image quality.Materials And MethodsWomen aged at least 20 years with body mass indexes <28 were recruited and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 CT scanning protocols without shielding, with a bismuth breast shield before the scout view, or with a bismuth breast shield after the scout view. All obtained images were reconstructed using an IR algorithm. To evaluate radiation dose, 2 Gafchromic films were placed over the clothes, 1 near each nipple.ResultsAverage dose reduction was significant (27.99%, P < .05) when bismuth shielding was applied after the scout view. Using the contrast-to-noise ratio, the image quality was found to be superior when the IR algorithm was applied. Using quantitative evaluations by 2 radiologists applying a 4-point Likert scale, significant differences in image quality were not found among the 3 protocols.ConclusionBismuth breast shields, particularly when used after acquiring scout images, are effective at reducing radiation dose without undermining the diagnostic value of the images when the IR technique is applied.Copyright © 2021 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

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