Evaluation of pediatric radiation doses in computed tomography procedures in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Computed tomography (CT) frequency is approximately 11% of medical radiological procedures. Nevertheless, CT examinations contribute up to 70% collective doses. CT procedures carried out in pediatric patients represent 33% of CT procedures. This study aimed to assess pediatric doses during chest and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Radiation physics and chemistry (Oxford, England : 1993) England : 1993), 2021-11, Vol.188, p.109679, Article 109679
Main Authors: Alzimami, K., Sulieman, A., Omer, Hiba, Jambi, Layal K., Alfuraih, A., Al Hossain, N., Babikir, E., Alkhorayef, M., Khandaker, Mayeen Uddin, Bradley, D.A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abdomen
Chest
Computed tomography
Diagnostic imaging
Pediatrics
Radiation
Radiation dosage
Radiation risk
Radiology
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Summary:Computed tomography (CT) frequency is approximately 11% of medical radiological procedures. Nevertheless, CT examinations contribute up to 70% collective doses. CT procedures carried out in pediatric patients represent 33% of CT procedures. This study aimed to assess pediatric doses during chest and abdomen procedures and estimated the projected radiogenic risk. In total, 83 pediatric were divided into four groups, according to their age (years). The patients were ≤six months, six months - ≤3 years, 4 - ≤ 6 years and, 7 - ≤ 15 years. The mean and range of DLP (mGy.cm) and CTDIvol (mGy) for pediatric CT chest were 42 (33–52) and 2 (1.9–2.2), respectively. The mean and range of DLP (mGy.cm) and CTDIvol (mGy) for pediatric CT abdomen pelvic region were 116 (105–129) and 3.8 (3.7–3.9), in that order. Even though pediatric' radiation doses are below the published diagnostic reference levels (DRL), additional dose reduction is required and achievable if the imaging protocol is adjusted according to the child size. •Pediatric doses during CT chest and abdomen procedures were assessed.•The variation in patients' doses was due to the scan length and child weight.•The Patients' radiation doses were lower than available published values.•The study has revealed an indispensable need for justified referring criteria.•Establishing an imaging protocol based on a pediatric subgroup is recommended.
ISSN:0969-806X
1879-0895
DOI:10.1016/j.radphyschem.2021.109679