Patient Doses in Computed Tomography: An Assessment of Local Diagnostic Reference Levels in a Large Teaching Hospital

2012
Authors
Hadnadjev, Darka R.Arandjic, Danijela D.
Stojanovic, Sanja S.
Ciraj-Bjelac, Olivera

Božović, Predrag

Stanković, Jelena S.
Article
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
This paper presents an estimation of local diagnostic reference levels in computed tomography in a large teaching hospital. Local diagnostic reference levels, expressed in terms of volume weighted computed tomography dose index and dose-length product, were estimated for three most frequent adult computer tomography examinations: head, abdomen and pelvis combined, and thorax. The established local diagnostic reference levels values were similar or slightly higher compared to the available guidelines, indicating the possibility for optimization of current practice. Analyzing the protocols used here and recently published studies on dose reduction in computed tomography, a dose-reduction technique, was proposed to decrease tube current values in all three examinations. However, the optimization should be restricted only to standard-sized patients.
Keywords:
computed tomography / patient doses / diagnostic reference levelsSource:
Nuclear technology and radiation protection, 2012, 27, 3, 305-310
DOI: 10.2298/NTRP1203305H
ISSN: 1451-3994