Evaluation of Patient Radiation Dose in Multi Slice Computed Tomography Modalities Examinations

Abstract

Computed Tomography (CT) scanning has been recognized as a high radiation dose modality, when compared to other diagnostic X-ray techniques, since its launch into clinical practice since its emergence in 1971. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the patient radiation dose in different CT modalities (16 slice (Alfaisal Hospital (A)), 4 slice (Ibn Alhaitham (B) and dual slice (Alnilain (C)). A total of 95 patients were examined in this study. The data was collected from the following examinations: brain, chest, abdomen and pelvis. 29, 21 and 45 patient from hospital A,B and C respectively. The mean patient doses was 570+/-190.7 mGy.cm for hospital A, 497.89 +/-229.9 mGy.cm for hospital B and 142.5+/-45.96 mGy.cm for hospital C. Patients’ demographic data (age, weight, BMI) were comparable. Dual slice scanner delivered the least radiation dose while 4 and 16 slice scanners delivered the highest radiation dose. Radiation dose variation can be attributed to the scan parameters used from site to site and scanner design. Multi-slice scanners allow higher mAs values, longer scan lengths and multi-phase contrast studies, have also the potential of directly increasing patient doses. CT dose optimisation protocol is not implemented in all departments