Evaluation of Radiation Dose to the Skin, Eye Lens and Thyroid Gland from Abdominal Computed Tomography (Pilot Study)
Keywords:
Abdominal computed tomography, volumetric radiation dose index, dose length product, effective dose value, diagnostic reference levelsAbstract
Background and Objective: The abdominal examination using computed tomography (CT) is essential for diagnosis of abdominal abnormalities and this trend has gradually increased. Since x-radiation in CT is harmful, the monitoring of patient radiation dose has been concerned. This study aimed to assess the radiation dose from upper abdomen CT, lower abdomen CT and whole abdomen CT examination and compare with national diagnostic reference levels (NDRLs). Moreover, the skin radiation, eyes lens and thyroid from these CT examinations were also compared.
Methods: The study was cross sectional descriptive study divided into 2 groups. Group 1 was a prospective radiation dose assessment in 30 patients who underwent CT examination of upper, lower and whole abdomen and met inclusion criteria during July 2022-March 2023. Group 2 was a radiation dose assessment in phantom study. Radiation dose assessment at eyes, thyroid and abdominal skin were performed using nanoDot optically stimulating luminescence dosimeters (OSLDs). Then, the radiation dose parameters including volumetric CT dose index (CTDIvol), dose length product (DLP) and calculated effective dose were recorded.
Results: For group1, the highest CTDIvol (8.46 mGy), DLP (1,171 mGy·cm) and effective dose (17.5 mSv) were observed from CT whole abdomen examination. These radiation parameters from all CT abdomen examinations were within the NDRLs. The mean radiation dose at eyes lens (0.21±0.06 mGy), thyroid (0.69±0.28 mGy) and abdomen (25.34±7.85 mGy) were observed with highest value from CT whole abdomen examination. For group2, the highest radiation dose measurement was observed at abdominal skin (39.19±2.38 mGy). The radiation dose at right side of abdomen was slightly higher than left side. The radiation dose at left and right thyroid from CT whole abdomen examination was found with the highest value (0.90±0.14, 0.92±0.04 mGy). In addition, the left eye lens dose was obtained with the highest value from CT whole abdomen examination (0.43±0.04 mGy)
Conclusion: CTDIvol and DLP from this study were lower than NDRLs and data of United State of America. The data from this study can be used for alteration CT examination to optimize patient radiation and preserve the image quality for precise diagnosis.
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