Assessment of Radiation Dose to the Lens of the Eye and Thyroid of Patients Undergoing Head and Neck Computed Tomography at Five Hospitals in Mashhad, Iran

Document Type : Original Paper

Authors

1 Medical Physics Department, Medical Physics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

2 Mashhad University of Medical Sciences

3 M.Sc. Student of Medical Physics, Medical Physics Dept., Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

4 Medical Physics Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

5 M.Sc. Student of Medical Imaging Technology, Medical Physics Dept., Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

6 B.Sc. of Radiology, Department of Radiology Technology, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

7 M.Sc. of Medical Engineering, Medical Physics Dept., Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

8 M.Sc. of Medical Physic, Medical Physics Dept., Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

9 Medical Physics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashahd, Iran.

10 Reza Radiotherapy Oncology Center, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: In recent years, the number of computed tomography (CT) scans, which is a high-dose technique, has increased significantly. Head and neck CT is performed frequently and thyroid, particularly in children, has always been considered a sensitive organ. In recent years, radiobiologists and health physicists have been more concerned about the safety of lenses of the eyes, as cataract is no longer considered a deterministic effect.
Material and Methods: In the present study, incurred doses to the thyroid and lens of the eye of 140 patients who underwent common head and neck CT at five hospitals were measured by thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD-100). The patients were divided into two age groups of pediatrics and adults. TLD chips were placed on the patient’s skin surface. For each patient, scan parameters, sex and age were recorded. Exposed TLDs were read by a manual TLD reader.
Results: The verage absorbed dose of the thyroid, as well as the lenses of the left and right eyes were 5.89±1.74, 15.84±2.81 and 16.25±2.57, respectively, for the pediatric patients and 5.00±1.17, 17.64±1.69 and 24.41±1.89 for adults. Patient-specific organ doses were influenced by the scanned region, scan protocol and patient's age.
Conclusion: In the present study, the mean eye dose was much lower than the 500 mGy threshold recommended by International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) for lens of the eye damage, thus, it appears to be clinically safe. While CT scan remains a crucial tool, further dose reduction can be achieved by controlling different factors affecting patient doses.

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References

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Iranian Journal of Medical Physics
Volume 15, Issue 4 - Serial Number 4
October 2018
Pages 226-230

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History

  • Receive Date: 25 April 2018
  • Revise Date: 01 August 2018
  • Accept Date: 08 August 2018

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