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Abstract
BackgroundThe radiation dose delivered from computed tomography (CT) scanning and the risks associated with ionising radiation are major concerns in paediatric imaging. Compared to adults, children have increased organ sensitivity and a longer expected lifetime in which cancer may develop. Therefore, it is important to investigate the awareness of paediatricians (referring physicians) regarding radiation doses and the associated risks.MethodsA multiple-choice survey was distributed among paediatricians in 8 hospitals in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.ResultsAmong the 162 respondents, only 24 (15 %) were aware of the As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) principle. Approximately half (54 %) of the respondents believed that multi-slice CT delivered a low radiation dose, and 100 (62 %) of the respondents were not aware that radiation is considered carcinogenic by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States. Among the respondents, 110 (68 %) did not have any specific education regarding radiation during their training. There was an overall underestimation (83 %) of the CT radiation dose, and 70 % thought that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) delivered some level of ionising radiation.ConclusionsAmong paediatricians in Saudi Arabian hospitals, there was a wide underestimation of the CT radiation dose and the associated risks for children. We should improve paediatricians’ knowledge about radiation doses. Radiologists, paediatricians, radiation technologists and medical physicists should work together to optimise CT guidelines and protocols to reduce the radiation risks for children.
Highlights
The radiation dose delivered from computed tomography (CT) scanning and the risks associated with ionising radiation are major concerns in paediatric imaging
Knowledge of radiation protection Among the 162 respondents, regarding the question inquiring about the percentage of background radiation caused by medical imaging, 33 (20 %) answered correctly, 16 (10 %) underestimated the value, 44 (27 %) overestimated the value, and 69 (43 %) responded, “I don’t know”
This study evaluated the level of awareness among paediatricians in Saudi Arabia regarding ionising radiation risks associated with CT scans
Summary
The radiation dose delivered from computed tomography (CT) scanning and the risks associated with ionising radiation are major concerns in paediatric imaging. It is important to investigate the awareness of paediatricians (referring physicians) regarding radiation doses and the associated risks. Countries with high health standards had an eight-fold increase in CT usage since the introduction of CT in the 1970s to the mid-1990s [1,2,3]. This fact has raised concerns about possible cancer risks, after exposure during childhood. CT accounts for approximately 24 % of total radiation exposure and 49 % of the total medical imaging. CT examinations account for only 15 % of the total number of medical
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