Estimating reference dose measurements during common computed tomographic procedures

Background: Medical X-rays are the largest man-made source of public exposure to ionizing radiation. In CT examination, the probability of radiation-induced cancer is more than other x-ray examinations. Objective: The aim of this research is to estimate the reference dose values for some common procedures (head and abdomen) and compare the findings with those of a previous research. Methods: Dose measurements were taken from the scanner readings, and using the periphery of the PMMA phantom, the body phantom and head were found to be about 32 cm and 16 cm in diameter, respectively. The volume computed tomography (CT) dose index (CTDIvol) carefully chosen in the small phantom was used as a benchmark for a CT head, and the measure in large phantom was utilized as a benchmark for body CT. The results of the average estimated CTDIvol for the head-and-abdomen scans in the emergency department of a large hospital and large diagnostic clinic scanner were compared with international reference dose levels. Results: In this study, the average values of CTDIvol were 53.02 mGy and 16.95 mGy for the head and abdomen, respectively. The dose for the head phantom, 53.02 mGy, was perceived to be inferior in differentiation with international diagnostic reference level (DRL) doses. The estimated dose for the abdomen scan was elevated in comparison with 2004 European DRLs by 13%, but it was lower than the DRL for ACR by 32%. Conclusion: The results presented here will assist by collectively providing a fixed reference point for determining reference doses for CT examinations.