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Survey of practice in paediatric computed tomography

D Kostova-Lefterova1, J Vassileva

  • 1National Centre of Radiobiology and Radiation Protection, Sofia, Bulgaria. dessi.zvkl@gmail.com

Radiation Protection Dosimetry
|August 10, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Paediatric computed tomography (CT) frequency varied significantly across Bulgarian hospitals. Findings highlight inconsistent practices and high radiation doses in children

Area of Science:

  • Medical Imaging
  • Radiology
  • Paediatric Health

Background:

  • Computed tomography (CT) is a vital diagnostic tool in paediatric care.
  • Standardized protocols and dose monitoring are crucial for minimizing radiation exposure in children.
  • International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) guidelines exist for paediatric CT surveys.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the frequency of paediatric CT examinations in Bulgarian hospitals.
  • To assess current practices and radiation dose levels in paediatric CT.
  • To identify areas for improvement in radiation dose reduction for children undergoing CT scans.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized standard IAEA survey forms for data collection.
  • Gathered data on paediatric CT examinations from six hospitals in Bulgaria for the year 2009.
  • Analyzed variations in radiation dose and adherence to dedicated paediatric CT protocols.

Main Results:

  • Significant variations in paediatric CT doses (up to 4x) were observed between centers for similar procedures.
  • One hospital reported paediatric doses twice as high as adult doses.
  • Only seven departments used dedicated CT protocols for children, and just four kept patient dose records.

Conclusions:

  • Current paediatric CT practices in Bulgaria show considerable variability in frequency and radiation dose.
  • Lack of dedicated protocols and inadequate dose record-keeping contribute to suboptimal radiation management.
  • The study provides preliminary data to guide recommendations for reducing patient doses in paediatric CT.

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