Radiation dose of chaperones during common pediatric computed tomography examinations

One main challenge in pediatric imaging is to reduce motion artifacts by calming young patients. To that end, the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) as early as 1997 stated the necessity of adults accompanying their child during the child's examination. Nonetheless, current research lacks data regarding radiation dose to these chaperones.

The aim of this study was to measure the radiation dose of accompanying adults during state-of-the-art pediatric CT protocols.

In addition to a 100-kV non-contrast-enhanced chest CT (Protocol 1), we performed a 70-kV contrast-enhanced chest protocol (Protocol 2) using a third-generation dual-source CT. We acquired data on the radiation dose around the scanner using digital dosimetry placed right at the gantry, 1 m away, as well as beside the gantry. We acquired the CT-surrounding radiation dose during scanning of a pediatric phantom as well as 12 pediatric patients.

After conducting 10 consecutive phantom scans using Protocol 1, we found the location with the highest cumulative dose acquired was right next to the gantry opening, at 3 μSv. Protocol 2 showed highest cumulative dose of 2 μSv at the same location. For Protocol 1, the location with the highest radiation doses during pediatric scans was right next to the gantry opening, with doses of 0.75±0.70 μSv. For Protocol 2, the highest radiation was measured 1 m away at 0.50±0.60 μSv. No radiation dose was measured at any time beside the gantry.

Our results provide proof that chaperones receive low radiation doses during state-of-the-art CT examinations. Given knowledge of these values as well as the optimal spots with the lowest radiation doses, parents as well as patients might be more relaxed during the examination.