Organ doses and risks of computed tomography examinations in Recife, Brazil

Computed tomography (CT) examinations have increased significantly in recent years due to technological innovations. In some industrialised countries, CT contributes to the population dose as much as background radiation. In developing countries, the uses and risks of CT have not been well character...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of radiological protection 2012-09, Vol.32 (3), p.251-260
Main Authors: ANDRADE, M. E. A, BORRAS, C, KHOURY, H. J, DIAS, S. K, BARROS, V. S. M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abdomen
Adult
Aged
Applied radiobiology (equipment, dosimetry...)
Biological and medical sciences
Biological effects of radiation
Brazil - epidemiology
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Head
Humans
Incidence
Male
Middle Aged
Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced - epidemiology
Pelvis
Radiation Dosage
Radiation Protection
Radiometry - methods
Risk Assessment
Risk Factors
Thorax
Tissues, organs and organisms biophysics
Tomography, X-Ray Computed - adverse effects
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Summary:Computed tomography (CT) examinations have increased significantly in recent years due to technological innovations. In some industrialised countries, CT contributes to the population dose as much as background radiation. In developing countries, the uses and risks of CT have not been well characterised. The purpose of this investigation was to assess potential stochastic and deterministic radiation effects from common CT exams performed in six hospitals of Recife, Pernambuco. Scanning parameters and patient gender and age were collected for a total of 285 patients undergoing CT examinations of the head (90), chest (75), abdomen (60) and abdomen-pelvis (60). The organ doses, which were calculated using the ImPACT dosimetry calculator, varied significantly among institutions. Organs such as the brain, the heart and the eye lenses, which exhibited doses as high as 85, 42 and 100 mGy, respectively, are of concern for the production of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases and cataracts. Effective cancer risks were calculated using Brenner methodology and BEIR-VII risk factors. They range from 1.8 to 110.2 cases per 100000 persons for cancer induction and from 1.5 to 63.0 cases per 100000 for cancer mortality. To reduce doses, a quality assurance programme that includes procedural justification and radiation protection optimisation should be implemented.
ISSN:0952-4746
1361-6498
DOI:10.1088/0952-4746/32/3/251