ARTIKLID RAKENDUSUURINGUTEST
DOOSIANDMETE KOGUMINE JA ANALÜÜS LASTE KOMPUUTERTOMOGRAAFIAS
Collecting and analysing patient dose data in paediatric computed tomography
Anni Borkvel, Kalle Kepler
Abstract Patient doses may vary significantly amongst children population for the same type of computed tomography (CT) scan. Diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) are useful and well appreciated tool to optimize patient doses in computed tomography. Although the establishment and use of DRLs has been required in the European Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom, national DRLs have not yet been established in Estonia. The main objective of this study was to collect and analyse patient dose data of different paediatric CT examinations in terms of patient’s age, weight and size. Most common paediatric CT examinations were analysed: scans of head, chest and abdomen. Using specially designed survey forms, the required dose data and patient data, such as age and weight, were collected. Effective diameter (Def ) and water equivalent diameter (Dw) were measured on axial CT slices using Impax 6 Client software and size-specific dose estimate (SSDE) was calculated whenever possible. The image series stored in the image server were analysed and dose curves (CTDIvol, DLP and SSDE as a function of patient’s age and weight) were determined for different examination protocols. Retrospectively, dose data from 2012 was analysed and similar dose curves were determined. Comparison between different dose curves was made and their practical applicability was assessed.
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