Paediatric multi detector computed tomography radiation doses in a dedicated paediatric hospital in Greece

Abstract

Introduction Multi detector CT (MDCT) X-ray systems provide high quality paediatric imaging. However, the last years, concern has been expressed on radiation exposure to children. Very few surveys depicting paediatric exposure from MDCT s are available. Purpose To shape the status of radiation dose in children from MDCT practice in a dedicated paediatric hospital in Greece. Materials and methods This was a retrospective study in a 160 bed paediatric hospital equipped with a Philips Brilliance 16 CT scanner installed in 2010. Patient data and acquisition parameters were recorded for CT studies of head, abdomen, chest and spine and were divided in three age groups (1–5 years, 5–10 years, 10–15 years). The dosimetric results were reported in terms of volumetric CT dose index (CTDIvol) (mGy), dose length product (DLP) (mGycm), and total DLP for multiphase studies. The results were compared with adult national DRLs and paediatric European published data. Results Data were collected from 97 MDCT examinations and included 39 head CTs, 12 abdomen CTs, 20 chest CTs and 26 spine CTs. Acquisition parameters used were according to age for head CTs and weight-dependent for the other scans. Spiral or axial scan depended on anatomic area and on the radiologist on duty. Multiphase studies accounted for 10% of patient sample, 80% of these in the abdomen region. For the three age groups, CTDIvol, DLP and total DLP average values were significantly lower than adult national DRLs, although they increased with age, and were in accordance with published paediatric European data. Conclusion Initial data showed that use of protocols tailored to patient’s age or weight results in significant dose reduction. Use of standardized CT protocols should be encouraged.