Mobile CT for children's chest and abdominal imaging.
Mobile Pediatric Thoracic and Abdominopelvic Computed Tomography (CT)
This project will test whether a mobile CT scanner can safely take chest and abdominal images in children who cannot be safely moved to the radiology department.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 25 (estimated) |
| Ages | N/A to 5 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Duke University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Durham, North Carolina) |
| Trial ID | NCT07166926 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Researchers will use a SOMATOM On.site mobile CT unit to acquire chest and abdominal (including pelvic) images at the bedside for pediatric patients who are too unstable or risky to transport. Eligible patients are children under five years or who meet the device size limits (35 cm gantry aperture, 26 cm field of view) and whose clinical team determines CT is needed. Scans will be performed at Duke University Hospital with standard CT protocols and interpreted by pediatric radiologists while clinical staff monitor safety and any complications. The primary goal is to determine whether diagnostic-quality cross-sectional images of the chest and abdomen can be obtained safely outside the conventional radiology suite.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Children under five years old (or small enough to fit the 35 cm gantry and 26 cm field of view) who need chest or abdominal CT and are considered clinically unsafe to be moved are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Children who are too large for the gantry, who can be safely transported to radiology, or whose parent/guardian cannot consent are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could allow necessary chest and abdominal CT imaging at the bedside for unstable children, avoiding risky transports and speeding diagnosis.
How similar studies have performed: Mobile CT devices are FDA-approved for adult and pediatric head imaging and have been used successfully for head scans, but using a mobile CT for pediatric chest and abdominal imaging is a newer application with limited published pediatric data.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patient \<5 years of age or meeting size criteria to fit into the CT gantry and field of view (35 cm gantry aperture, 26 cm field of view). * Patients who would benefit from cross-sectional imaging (CT) of the chest and/or abdomen and pelvis, based on severity and anticipated progression of their disease, as determined by their primary treatment team or recommended by a consultant team. * Patients who are deemed clinically unsafe to travel based on medical conditions as determined by their primary treatment team. Exclusion Criteria: * Size precludes safe operation of the CT gantry * Unable to consent and parent/guardian unable to consent.
Where this trial is running
Durham, North Carolina
- Duke University Hospital — Durham, North Carolina, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Joseph Cao, MD
- Email: joseph.cao@duke.edu
- Phone: 919-684-7288
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.