Measurement of Pediatric Radiation Dose in Computed Tomography Examinations

Abstract

The use of computed tomography (CT), as valuable imaging tool, has been increasing rapidly. The current growing use of CT increase the potential radiation hazard of radiation exposure to children under going these scans.. Therefore, measurement and evaluation of radiation dose is mandatory because of the risks associated with exposure to radiation. The purpose of this study was to measure and reduce radiation dose to pediatric patient during CT examination for brain, abdomen and chest, and to propose a local diagnostic reference level (DRL). A total number of 80 patients use incurred in this study , 51 referred to AL-Ribat University Hospital and 29 referred to EL-Nilein Medical Diagnostic Centre-Khartoum in the period of the study The age ranged between <1year-10years while the mean of weight was 13.53 Kg, mean of height 88.56 cm and mean of BMI 16.11Kg/cm2, the mean tube current for examination of the brain was 240 mA, and the mean tube current for examinations of the abdomen and chest were 70 mA and 20.3 respectively. The mean kV is 120 for all examinations. The mean value of Dose Length Product (DLP) was, 320.5±200 , 79.9±67.8, 66.6±69.4 mGy.cm for brain, abdomen and chest respectively ; the mean of CTDIvol was 25.0±14.9, 3.4±5.3, 2.5±1.8,mGy for brain, abdomen and chest respectively and the mean of effective dose according to the CT performed was, 2.1±1.6, 1.8±1.5, 1.1±0.9,mSv for brain, abdomen and chest, respectively. For CT brain the averaged dose values in AL-Ribat university hospital were; DLP 328.8±225.9 mGy.cm, CTDIvol 23.6±16.5 mGy and effective 2.5±1.7 mSv while in EL-Nilein diagnostic centre the average dose values were; DLP is 300±117.9 mGy.cm, CTDIvol 28.6±9.4 mGy and effected dose 1.7±0.9 mSv. For CT abdomen average dose values in AL-Ribat university hospital were; DLP 94.5±31.2 mGy.cm, CTDIvol 3.0±0.9 mGy and effected dose 2.1±0.8mSv , in EL- Nilein the average dose values were; DLP 68.7±85.9mGy.cm, CTDIvol 3.8±7.1 mGy and effective dose 1.5±1.8mSv, this different due to the different in technique and protocol.