Abstract
In this study, we thought to estimate the radiation exposure of children undergoing multi-detector CT examinations using size-specific dose estimates (SSDE). Console-displayed volume computed tomography dose index (CTDIvol) were recorded for a total of 78 paediatric abdominal CT examinations performed in six hospitals. Measurements of the patient diameters were taken from the mid-slice location on the transverse and scout CT images. Size-specific conversion coefficients were used to translate CTDIvol to the SSDE, according AAPM Report 204. For children aged 0–1 y, CTDIvol, SSDEtrans (from transverse images) and SSDEsco (from scout images) were: 12.80 ± 16.10, 14.43 ± 13.22; and 14.37 ± 13.03 mGy; respectively. For children aged 1–5 y, CTDIvol, SSDEtrans and SSDEsco were: 12.11 ± 14.47, 18.8 ± 18.61 and 16.51 ± 13.55 mGy; respectively. The obtained doses are higher than the corresponding diagnostic reference levels. SSDE increase with patient size as results of tube current modulation and is therefore a valuable tool for dose optimisation.
The feasibility of patient size-corrected, scanner-independent organ dose estimates for abdominal CT exams