Abstract
The aim of this study was to measure the radiation doses for computed tomography (CT) examinations of the head, chest and abdomen in adult patients in Nepal in comparison to international standard. Dose length products (DLP) and effective doses for standard patient sizes were calculated from the reported volume CT dose index (CTDIVol). Details were obtained from approximately 90 CT examinations carried out in 128 slice CT scan. Effective dose was calculated for each examination using CT dose indices, exposure related parameters and CTDI-to-effective dose conversion factors. The CTDI and DLP were below the established international reference dose levels for head and chest while for the abdomen and pelvis, the CTDl and DLP were above the established international reference dose levels. The mean effective doses in this study for the head, chest, and abdomen were 1.7, 5.4 and 17.7 mGy respectively. In conclusion, for the routine head and chest protocol, CTDI, DLP and ED were found to be significantly lower compared to the recommendation of European Commission. However, abdomen CT scans showed higher dose values because of multiple phase scans and longer scan lengths.
Highlights
Computed tomography (CT) is an imaging modality that produces cross sectional images representing the X-ray attenuation properties of the anatomical structures.[1]
Effective dose was calculated for each examination using CT dose indices, exposure related parameters and Computed Tomography Dose Index (CTDI)-to-effective dose conversion factors
The doses to the patient were expressed in terms of CTDIvol, dose length product (DLP) and effective dose
Summary
Computed tomography (CT) is an imaging modality that produces cross sectional images representing the X-ray attenuation properties of the anatomical structures.[1]. The ICRP, the International Atomic Energy Agency, and the European Commission have all recommended the setup and the implementation of CT dose guidance levels for the most common CT examinations to promote strategies for the optimization of radiation doses.[4] Computed Tomography Dose Index (CTDI) is the most widely used CT dose quantity, which integrates the long axis dose profile resulting from a single slice rotation of the X-ray tube. Another important dose quantity is the dose length product (DLP), which includes the patient, or the phantom volume irradiated during a complex examination
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