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Evaluation of organ doses in CT examinations with an infant anthropomorphic phantom
K Fujii1, K Akahane, O Miyazaki
1Department of Radiation, National Cancer Center Hospital East, 6-5-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan. kefujii@east.ncc.go.jp
Insights
This study measured organ doses in infant CT scans using phantoms. Infant CT radiation doses were found to be similar to or slightly lower than those for older children.
Area of Science:
- Medical Physics
- Radiology
- Pediatric Imaging
Background:
- Computed tomography (CT) is crucial for diagnosing pediatric conditions.
- Accurate radiation dose assessment in infants is essential for minimizing long-term risks.
- Multi-detector row CT (MDCT) scanners are widely used in pediatric imaging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate organ radiation doses in infant CT examinations.
- To compare infant CT doses with those of older children.
- To identify variations in dose based on CT scanner types and parameters.
Main Methods:
- Utilized radiophotoluminescence glass dosemeters for radiation measurement.
- Employed a 1-year-old child anthropomorphic phantom with dosemeters in various organ positions.
- Measured organ doses across different infant CT protocols: head, chest, abdominal-pelvic, and cardiac.
Main Results:
- Infant head CT doses ranged from 28-36 mGy.
- Chest CT doses were 3-11 mGy, and abdominal-pelvic CT doses were 5-11 mGy.
- Cardiac CT doses ranged from 2-14 mGy, with variations observed due to scanner types and parameters.
Conclusions:
- Infant CT organ doses are comparable to or slightly lower than pediatric CT doses for 5- or 6-year-olds.
- Dose levels indicate the need for optimized protocols in infant CT examinations.
- Further research may focus on dose reduction strategies specific to infant populations.
Abstract:
The aim of this study is to evaluate organ doses in infant CT examinations with multi-detector row CT scanners. Radiation doses were measured with radiophotoluminescence glass dosemeters set in various organ positions within a 1-y-old child anthropomorphic phantom and organ doses were evaluated from the measurement values. Doses for tissues or organs within the scan range were 28-36 mGy in an infant head CT, 3-11 mGy in a chest CT, 5-11 mGy in an abdominal-pelvic CT and 2-14 mGy in a cardiac CT. The doses varied by the differences in the types of CT scanners and scan parameters used at each medical facility. Compared with those for children of various ages, the doses in an infant CT protocol were found to be similar to or slightly smaller than those in a paediatric CT for 5- or 6-y-old children.
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