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Estimation of effective dose and lifetime attributable risk from multiple head CT scans in ventriculoperitoneal
J Aw-Zoretic1, D Seth2, G Katzman2
1Department of Medical Imaging, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
Insights
Multiple head computed tomography (CT) scans in children with ventriculoperitoneal shunts (VPS) slightly increase cancer risk, particularly in neonates. The potential risks versus clinical benefits must be carefully weighed.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Pediatric Radiology
- Radiation Oncology
Background:
- Ventriculoperitoneal shunts (VPS) are common in pediatric neurosurgery.
- Children with VPS often require multiple head CT scans for monitoring.
- Radiation exposure from CT scans is a concern in pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the averaged effective dose from head CT scans in children with VPS.
- To calculate the lifetime attributable risk (LAR) factor associated with these scans.
- To analyze dose variations across different pediatric age groups.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 422 pediatric head CT exams.
- Dose data weighted using ICRP 103 conversion factors for effective dose calculation.
- LAR estimates derived from averaged effective dose using BEIR VII conversion factors.
Main Results:
- Highest effective doses observed in neonates; lowest in the 10-18 years age group.
- Estimated 0.007% increased cancer risk in neonates.
- Estimated 0.001% increased cancer risk in teenagers.
Conclusions:
- Multiple head CTs in children with VPS lead to a slight increase in LAR for cancer.
- Neonates face a relatively higher increased risk compared to teenagers.
- Clinical decisions must balance the potential risks of radiation exposure against the benefits of CT imaging.
Purpose:
The purpose of this review is to determine the averaged effective dose and lifetime attributable risk factor from multiple head computed tomography (CT) dose data on children with ventriculoperitoneal shunts (VPS).
Method And Materials:
A total of 422 paediatric head CT exams were found between October 2008 and January 2011 and retrospectively reviewed. The CT dose data was weighted with the latest IRCP 103 conversion factor to obtain the effective dose per study and the averaged effective dose was calculated. Estimates of the lifetime attributable risk were also calculated from the averaged effective dose using a conversion factor from the latest BEIR VII report.
Results:
Our study found the highest effective doses in neonates and the lowest effective doses were observed in the 10-18 years age group. We estimated a 0.007% potential increase risk in neonates and 0.001% potential increased risk in teenagers over the base risk.
Conclusion:
Multiple head CTs in children equates to a slight potential increase risk in lifetime attributable risk over the baseline risk for cancer, slightly higher in neonates relative to teenagers. The potential risks versus clinical benefit must be assessed.
