Estimation of Radiation Hazards of Computed Tomography Dose in Khartoum State

Abstract

Computed tomography (CT) is considered the main source of radiation exposure to general population. There is an increased CT usage owing to technological advancement. Multiple slice CT scanners produce better image quality with less scan time and more clinical applications quality which linked to higher radiation dose to patients. The purpose of this study was to measure and estimates the patient radiation dose in three different detectors of CT scanners (64 slices ,16 slices and dual slice) for routine CT investigations. A total of 108 patients were examined in this study. The data was collected from the following examinations: brain, chest, abdomen and pelvis. 36 patient for dual slice (12 patient for abdomen,11 patient for chest, 13 patient for brain), .37 patient for sixteen slices (12 patient for abdomen ,12 patient for chest, 13 patient for brain), and 35 patient for sixty-four slices (12 patient for abdomen ,11 patient for chest, 12 patient for brain). The mean dose values for CT brain for sixteen slices were; DLP 670±380mGy.cm, CTDIvol 45.4±24.8mGy, while for dual slice the average dose values were; DLP is 331.1±161mGy.cm, CTDIvol 55.7±9.3mGy. While the average dose for sixty-four slices was; DLP is 1160.8±435.7mGy.cm, CTDIvol 73.4±21.1mGy. For CT abdomen the averaged dose values for sixteen slices were; DLP 270.6±100mGy.cm, CTDIvol 5.8±2mGy, while for dual slice the average dose values were; DLP is 164±56mGy.cm, CTDIvol 4.4±1.3mGy. While for sixty-four slices the average dose values were; DLP is 1444±954.3mGy.cm, CTDIvol 75.7±93.9mGy. For CT Chest the averaged dose values for sixteen slices were; DLP 209.6±83.3mGy.cm, CTDIvol 5.6±2mGy, while for dual slice the average dose values were; DLP is 238.8±116.2mGy.cm, CTDIvol 8.7±4.6mGy. While for sixty-four slices the average dose values were; DLP is 1121.2±872.1mGy.cm, CTDIvol 25.2±15mGy. Dual slice scanner delivered the least radiation dose while 16 and 64 slice scanners delivered the highest radiation dose. CT dose optimisation protocol is not implemented in all departments.