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Radiation dose from multidetector row CT imaging for acute stroke

Anisa Mnyusiwalla1, Richard I Aviv, Sean P Symons

  • 1Department of Medical Imaging, Division of Neuroradiology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Neuroradiology
|June 10, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Comprehensive computed tomography (CT) imaging for acute stroke delivers a mean effective radiation dose of 16.4 mSv. This high dose necessitates dose reduction strategies and consideration of MRI as an alternative.

Area of Science:

  • Radiology
  • Medical Imaging
  • Radiation Dosimetry

Background:

  • Acute stroke management relies on advanced imaging techniques.
  • Computed tomography (CT) plays a crucial role in diagnosing and characterizing stroke.
  • Assessing radiation exposure from comprehensive CT protocols is vital for patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify the radiation dose delivered by a comprehensive CT imaging protocol for acute stroke.
  • To evaluate the effective dose and dose-length product (DLP) for each component of the protocol.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 95 CT examinations over 18 months using an acute stroke protocol.
  • Protocol included unenhanced head CT, CT angiography (CTA), and CT perfusion/permeability.
  • Effective doses were calculated from dose-length products (DLP) using region-specific conversion factors.

Main Results:

  • The mean effective dose for the comprehensive CT acute stroke protocol was 16.4 mSv.
  • This dose is approximately six times higher than that of an unenhanced CT head scan (2.7 mSv).
  • CT angiography (CTA) contributed the most to the effective dose (mean 5.4 mSv), followed by CT perfusion (mean 4.9 mSv).

Conclusions:

  • Comprehensive CT protocols for acute stroke result in significant radiation exposure.
  • The detailed anatomical and physiological data obtained must be weighed against radiation risks.
  • Implementing aggressive dose reduction strategies and considering MRI as an alternative are recommended.
Abstract

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