Establishing diagnostic reference levels for computed tomography examinations in Terengganu: Head, thorax and abdomen

Irwan Iskandar, Jusoh and Kamarul Amin, Abdullah@Abu Bakar and Mohd Hanafi, Ali (2021) Establishing diagnostic reference levels for computed tomography examinations in Terengganu: Head, thorax and abdomen. In: 19th Asian Oceanian Congress of Radiology, 01-04 Jul 2021, Virtual, Kuala Lumpur.

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Abstract

Objective: Computed Tomography (CT) is commonly used for various diagnostic examinations. Despite constant improvements to imaging technologies, the radiation dose to patients remains a concern. Diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) are used to identify any facility when using high radiation dose during CT. This study aims to assess current patient dose and establish new local diagnostic levels (LDRLs) for Computed Tomography (CT) examinations of brain, thorax, and abdomen at multiple sites in Terengganu, Malaysia. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive booklet survey was designed to record patient data and scanning protocols for three CT examinations. Data were collected retrospectively from the participating centers. LDRLs were defined as the values within 75th and 50th of volumetric CT dose index (CTDIvol) and dose length product (DLP). Data sets collected were related to 82 of CT brain, 96 of CT thorax, and 120 of CT abdomen. Results: LDRLs for CTDIvol and DLP for CT brain, thorax, and abdomen were 52.08 ± 7.62 mGy/960.57 ± 756.67 mGy∙cm, 14.58 ± 7.49 mGy/960.57 ± 756.67 mGy∙cm and 17.97 ± 11.35 mGy/842.67 ± 541.59 mGy∙cm, respectively. Conclusion: As compared to national DRLs, the LDRLs are comparable and within the range of acceptable percentiles, except for DLP values for thorax and abdomen are slightly exceeded. Major variations in patient dose during CT examination occur due to differences in CT scanners, scanning protocols, and modes.

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