Question

To modify a standard CT protocol so that it is appropriate for children, which should be decreased?

1) pitch
2) kvp
3) mas

Answer 1

To make a CT scan safer for children, the mas should be decreased to minimize radiation exposure, while adjusting kvp may also be necessary for optimal image quality.

Step-by-step explanation:

To modify a standard CT protocol so that it is appropriate for children, the factor that should typically be decreased is 3) mas (milliampere-seconds). The mas controls the amount of x-ray exposure, and reducing it helps to minimize the radiation dose received by the child. While adjusting mas is crucial, it is also essential to optimize other parameters like 2) kvp (kilovoltage peak) to ensure sufficient image quality at the lowest reasonable dose. However, the modification of 1) pitch is not mainly for dose reduction but rather affects the scanning speed and image resolution.