Assessment of pediatric radiation doses in brain CT procedures

Background:To date in Saudi Arabia, a limited number of studies conducted to assess radiation doses received by pediatrics in computed tomography (CT) brain procedure. National diagnostic reference levels (NDRL) have been established for adults, but neither NDRL’s nor Local diagnostic reference levels (LDRL) have been established for pediatric patients. Objective: This study aimed to assess radiation doses experienced by pediatric patients in CT brain procedure, and derive LDRLs. Materials and methods: The values of three radiological indexes: volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) and dose-length product (DLP) were assessed. Then effective dose (ED) were estimated, and LDRLs are suggested for CT procedures based on data retrieved from 353 pediatric patients aged between 0 and 15 years old. LDRLs were estimated based on age and weight. Results: Built on 75 percent of the median distribution of the CTDIvol and DLP values, weight assemblage LDRL values ranged from 12.29 to 28.72 mGy and from 173.32 to 565.38 mGy.cm, respectively, whereas age assemblage LDRL values ranged from 11.76 to 25.07 mGy and from 147.04 to 479.23 mGy.cm, respectively. Conclusion: This study derived the typical CTDIvol, DLP, and ED received by pediatric patient during CT brain procedure in Saudi Arabia. Then, LDRLs were proposed based on age and weight for pediatric patients aged between 0 to 15 years old.