Multidetector computed tomography for suspected appendicitis: Multi-institutional survey of 16-MDCT data acquisition protocols and review of pertinent literature

PURPOSE: To determine acquisition protocol parameters currently used by different institutions for appendiceal multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey inquiring about multiple MDCT protocols was mailed to 99 fellows of the Society of Computed Body Tomography in August of 2004, with a second mailing sent in May 2005. A total of 46 institutions or hospitals are represented by these Society of Computed Body Tomography fellows. Details pertaining to protocols for the most advanced MDCT scanner in the department were requested. RESULTS: The overall survey response rate was 17 of 46 or 37%. Fifteen protocols using 16-MDCT for suspected appendicitis were collected and tabulated. Parameters that are similar across institutions include a nonfocused acquisition using oral and intravenous contrast. Detector configuration is even divided between submillimeter and greater than 1 mm, and the most common reconstruction section thickness is 5 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Contrast administration and anatomical coverage are quite consistent across this set of protocols. However, future appendiceal MDCT research will need to address the most efficacious detector row collimation, reconstruction section thickness and interval, and the diagnostic capacity of protocols implementing dose reduction measures.