Abstract
This study aimed to examine the relationship between fetal dose and the dose–length product, and to evaluate the impact of the number of rotations on the fetal doses and maternal effective doses using a 320‐row multidetector computed tomography unit in a wide‐volume mode. The radiation doses for the pregnant woman and the fetus were estimated using ImPACT CT Patient Dosimetry Calculator software for scan lengths ranging from 176 to 352 mm, using a 320‐row unit in a wide‐volume mode and an 80‐row unit in a helical scanning mode. In the 320‐row unit, the fetal doses in all scan lengths ranged from 3.51 to 6.52 mGy; the maternal effective doses in all scan lengths ranged from 1.05 to 2.35 mSv. In the 80‐row unit, the fetal doses in all scan lengths ranged from 2.50 to 3.30 mGy; the maternal effective doses in all scan lengths ranged from 0.83 to 1.68 mSv. The estimated conversion factors from the dose–length product (mGy・cm) to fetal doses (mGy) for the 320‐row unit in wide‐volume mode and the 80‐row unit in helical scanning mode were 0.06 and 0.05 (cm−1) respectively. While using a 320‐row MDCT unit in a wide‐volume mode, operators must take into account the number of rotations, the beam width as automatically determined by the scanner, the placement of overlap between volumetric sections, and the ratio of overlapping volumetric sections.
Highlights
IntroductionSkeletal dysplasias are a heterogeneous and complex group of conditions that affect the growth and development of the bone and cartilage, and result in various anomalies in the shape and size of the skeleton
This study examined the relationship between fetal dose and dose–length product (DLP), and evaluated the impact of the number of rotations on the fetal doses and maternal effective doses using a 320-row multidetector CT (MDCT) unit in a wide-volume mode
The organ-specific doses for the pregnant woman and the fetal dose in the 320-row MDCT unit in a wide-volume mode and the 80-row MDCT unit in a helical scanning mode are listed in Figs. 2 and 3 respectively
Summary
Skeletal dysplasias are a heterogeneous and complex group of conditions that affect the growth and development of the bone and cartilage, and result in various anomalies in the shape and size of the skeleton.. Computed tomography (CT) has been found to be highly effective in diagnosing fetal skeletal dysplasia; the risk of radiation exposure to the fetus and mother cannot be avoided since CT employs X-rays. The scientific literature contains only limited data regarding effective dose/DLP conversion factors, and there are, to our knowledge, no studies investigating the fetal dose/DLP conversion factors for fetal CT examination. Elucidating the relationship between fetal doses and DLP could assist in estimating the fetal dose in clinical practice
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