Estimation of Pediatric Dose During CT Brain Imaging

Abstract

Computed tomography (CT) is used worldwide; utilization it has increased rapidly over the past 15 years. CT is the most common source for radiation exposure. however, recent studies suggest that CT radiation exposure during childhood may be a risk factor for cancer. The objective was to Estimation of pediatric dose during CT in brain image Alneelain Medical Center. This was a retrospective study of pediatric patients < 12 years of age who underwent head CT scans in 2020 at Alneelain Medical Center. The kv, (used which range between 120 to 130), mAs, DLP and CTDvol from the CT scanners and calculated the effective radiation dose delivered. Patient demographics were abstracted from the CT computer. The relationship between effective dose and (CTDI and DLP) were evaluated for gender and age. A total of 25 subjects were underwent head CT. The mean age years (0.01- 12) 68 % were male while 32% were female . The mean ± standard deviation for mAs, CTDI and DLP for male were 161.53 ± 21.00 , 32.52 ± 4.00 and 465.71 ± 78.55 respectively. respectively while for female were 175.13 ± 26.63 , 42.23 ± 26.41 and 638.38 ± 306.70 respectively. The mean ± standard deviation for mAs, CTDI and DLP for age (<= 2were 168.64 ±26.15 , 38.74 ± 23.18 and 546.55 ± 292.88 respectively , when for 2<age>=5 were 167.17 ± 29.23 , 31.49 ± 2.57, and 453.00 ± 22.01 respectively and for <5 &>=12) were 162.38 ± 21.55 , 34.44 ± 1.93 and 536.75 ± 56.32 respectively. The effective doses were found higher than the previous studies. The correlation between the effective dose and CTDI and DLP were done which found increased by increasing DLP or CTDI or together increased which n this study were higher than some previous studies and so effective dose which are found in mid age more than others. Our analysis suggested that radiation exposure from CT during childhood is associated with a subsequently elevated risk of cancer. However, caution is needed when interpreting these results because of the heterogeneity among the studies. The findings should be confirmed in further studies with longer follow-up periods. Significant radiation dose reduction can be achieved for routine pediatric head CT by weight-based decreases in kVp in addition to low mAs and observance for image quality.