VARIATION OF LOCAL DIAGNOSTIC REFERENCE LEVELS FOR PEDIATRIC AND ADULT PATIENTS UNDERGOING HEAD COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY EXAMINATION IN AMHARA REGIONAL STATES, ETHIOPIA

Document Type : Original Paper

Authors

1 Addis Ababa University, Tikur Anbessa Hospital Department of Radiology

2 Physics, College of natural Computational Sciences, Woldia University, woldia, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: - During Computed Tomography examinations variation of dose for pediatric and adults has been increasing widely, even when automated Exposure control is used.

Objectives: - The objective of this study was to assess variation of pediatric and adult head Computed Tomography local diagnostic reference levels in Amhara region, Ethiopia.

Materials and Methods : - Active Computed Tomography scanners in Amhara region were identified and both retrospective and prospective technique was used to collect data for pediatric and adult heads examinations. Scan parameters, patient profile and CT dose indicators were collected from334 patients. Pediatric patients were grouped into three age (years) groups (1-5,5-10,10-15). The local Diagnostic reference levels were established from third quartile values of computed tomography dose index and dose length product. SPSS software version26 and Microsoft excel 2016 were used for the entire data analysis.

Results: -The obtained third quartile values of computed tomography dose index and dose length product which have been taken local diagnostic reference levels were 49 mGy and 1806 mGy cm for adult head examinations respectively. While that of Paediatric head Computed Tomography dose index (mGy )and dose length product (mGy cm)values for age (years) groups (1-5,5-10,10-15) were (30, 2015); (35, 1221); (43, 2051) respectively. The investigated 3rd quartile values of computed tomography dose index and dose length product were higher than other national and international reported values.

Conclusion: -There are variations in the local diagnostic reference levels between the Computed Tomography centre’s and identical scanners in all pediatric and adult patients of routine Computed Tomography indicating the necessity for dose optimization.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Iranian Journal of Medical Physics

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 11 September 2022

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History

  • Receive Date: 16 May 2022
  • Revise Date: 16 August 2022
  • Accept Date: 11 September 2022
  • First Publish Date: 11 September 2022

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