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Ultra-low dose CT for suspected paediatric foreign body aspiration: comparison with conventional radiograph

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 August 2025

Holly Jones Open the ORCID record for Holly Jones [Opens in a new window] ,
Raghad Alshammasi ,
Sinead Ryan ,
Louise Bowden ,
Andrew Moran ,
Anna E. Smyth  and
Colleen B. Heffernan
Holly Jones*
Affiliation:
Department of Paediatric Otolaryngology, Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street, Ireland
Raghad Alshammasi
Affiliation:
Department of Paediatric Otolaryngology, Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street, Ireland
Sinead Ryan
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Physics, Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street, Ireland
Louise Bowden
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Physics, Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street, Ireland
Andrew Moran
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Physics, Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street, Ireland
Anna E. Smyth
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street, Ireland
Colleen B. Heffernan
Affiliation:
Department of Paediatric Otolaryngology, Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street, Ireland
*
Corresponding author: Holly Jones; Email: jonesholly@live.com
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Abstract

Introduction

An aspirated foreign body in a child can represent a potentially life-threatening emergency.

Methods

This retrospective study, carried out from 2014 to 2024, compares the estimated effective radiation dose children received during ultra-low dose computed tomography (CT) scans with that received with traditional cumulative radiographic investigations.

Results

Of the 44 patients included in the study, 32 were in the radiograph group and 12 were in the CT group. There was a statistically significant reduction in the length of stay and cost in the CT group when compared with the radiograph group (p < 0.01). There was a statistically significant reduction in the cumulative estimated effective radiation dose in the radiograph compared to the estimated effective dose received in the CT group (p < 0.01). No patients required sedation for CT imaging.

Conclusion

Ultra-low dose CT is a safe, cost-effective first-line investigation in stable patients with suspected foreign body aspiration.

Keywords

foreign bodiesradiographychild

Information

Type
Main Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , First View , pp. 1 - 6
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED.

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Footnotes

Holly Jones takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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