Cumulative radiation exposure, effective and organ dose estimation from multiple head CT scans in stroke patients

Abstract

This study aimed to estimate the cumulative radiation exposure, effective and organ dose from the recurrent computed tomography (CT) head scan during the stroke. Data was collected using a validated survey, including scanner information, patient demographic information, scan protocol, and dose indices (CTDIvol and DLP). A retrospective search of the picture archiving and communicating system (PACS) database for all the patients who underwent at least three head scans while admitted to the hospital because of stroke. Effective and organ doses are calculated by VirtualDose software based on ICRP 103. One hundred fifty-two patients underwent three to five scans during their hospitalization, which lasted from three weeks to three months. The age ranged from 45-to 76 years; males were (n = 104, 68.4%) and females were (n = 48, 35.6%). The scan range was 20.9–28.8 cm, with a mean of 24.4 ± 1.5. The mean CTDIvol and DLP values per scan were 21 ± 0.8 and 429 ± 85, respectively. The calculated effective doses for patients with three, four, and five scans were 6.4, 8.5, and 10.7 mSv, respectively. The highest organ dose is recorded in the brain and the lowest at the breast. Focusing on referring physician awareness and encouraging request justification and dose optimization for patients subject to frequent radiation exams. In addition, the cumulative effective dose should be part of training programs for referrers, radiologists and radiographers.