Radiation dose and objective image quality of photon-counting detector computed tomography in pediatric imaging: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Photon-counting CT was associated with significantly lower size-specific radiation dose in children.
Radiation dose and objective image quality of photon-counting detector computed tomography in pediatric imaging: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Photon-counting detector computed tomography (photon-counting detector computed tomography) offers potential advantages over conventional energy-integrating detector computed tomography (energy-integrating detector computed tomography) in pediatric imaging, but the available evidence has not yet been systematically synthesized.
To compare radiation dose, image quality based on objective metrics, and iodinated contrast dose between photon-counting detector computed tomography and energy-integrating detector computed tomography in pediatric patients.
A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane CENTRAL through March 15, 2026, identified comparative studies of photon-counting detector computed tomography versus energy-integrating detector computed tomography in children 17 years of age or younger.
children got less radiation exposure with photon-counting CT
Dose-length product showed a non-significant reduction (MD=-21.25 mGy·cm; 95% CI: -47.29 to 4.79; P=0.110; PI: -116.58 to 74.08).
Photon-counting detector computed tomography also demonstrated significantly higher signal-to-noise ratio (SMD=0.42; 95% CI: 0.05 to 0.78; P=0.024; PI: -0.94 to 1.77) and a small significant increase in contrast-to-noise ratio (SMD=0.34; 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.66; P=0.037; PI: -0.66 to 1.34).
All overall 95% prediction intervals crossed zero.
Compared with energy-integrating detector computed tomography, photon-counting detector computed tomography was associated with significantly lower computed tomography dose index and size-specific dose estimate, and with significantly higher signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio; the reduction in dose-length product did not reach statistical significance.
All overall 95% prediction intervals crossed zero, indicating that the magnitude and direction of benefit may vary across protocols and body regions.