Evaluation of Computed Tomography chest and abdomen Radiation Doses and Imaging Protocols for Pediatric Patients

Abstract

Background: The pediatric CT procedure, a frequent occurrence in the radiology department, is a crucial tool for diagnosing a range of clinical conditions. Objectives: This study, aimed at measuring patient dose and evaluating imaging protocols during brain and abdomen CT scans with 128 CT, is of utmost importance for your professional practice. Materials and Methods:  A total of 30 patients were investigated, with 40% having undergone CT abdomen and 60% CT brain. The radiation dose parameters were presented in terms of CTDIvol and DLP. Results: The mean and range of the patient's age (years) ranged from 4.1( 0.1-10.0). The mean dose per procedure was 230 and 670 mGy.cm for the abdomen and chest, respectively. The effective dose per abdomen and chest procedure were 3.9 and 11.2 mSv, respectively. Conclusions:This study revealed variations in doses, with the radiation dose in Brain CT being higher compared to the abdomen. The main contributor to this high dose was the adult protocol, underscoring the importance of using child-specific protocols in your professional practice.