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Diagnostic Reference Levels for Paediatric Head Computed Tomography in Morocco: A Nationwide Survey
M Benmessaoud1, A Dadouch1, M Talbi2
1Faculty of Sciences Dhar EL Mahraz, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, B.P. 30000, Fez, Morocco.
Insights
This study established the first Moroccan diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for paediatric head computed tomography (CT), providing crucial data for radiation dose optimization in children. The findings aim to guide future radiation protection practices in medical imaging across Morocco.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Medical Physics
- Paediatric Imaging
Background:
- Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs) are essential for optimizing radiation doses in medical imaging.
- Paediatric head CT scans require specific DRLs due to children's increased radiosensitivity.
- Establishing national DRLs is a key component of radiation protection programs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the initial Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs) for paediatric head computed tomography (CT) in Morocco.
- To assess the effective radiation doses administered during paediatric head CT examinations in Moroccan hospitals.
- To compare Moroccan DRLs with international standards for paediatric head CT.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective data collection from 1007 paediatric patients undergoing head CT at Moroccan university children's hospitals.
- Classification of patients into four age groups: <1, 1-5, 5-10, and 10-15 years.
- Determination of DRLs using the 75th percentile of CT Dose Index (CTDI) and Dose Length Product (DLP) distributions.
Main Results:
- Proposed DRLs (75th percentile) for CTDI ranged from 26.98 to 38.20 mGy across age groups.
- Proposed DRLs (75th percentile) for DLP ranged from 461.64 to 705.98 mGy.cm across age groups.
- Estimated effective doses varied from 1.79 to 3.6 mSv, decreasing with age.
Conclusions:
- This study presents the first Moroccan DRLs for paediatric head CT, establishing a benchmark for radiation dose management.
- The established DRLs provide a basis for comparison with international data and highlight the need for ongoing radiation protection efforts.
- This initiative serves as a foundation for extending DRL establishment to other imaging procedures and modalities in Morocco.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to establish the diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for paediatric head computed tomography (CT) in Morocco and to assess the effective doses received during head CT examinations. The data of 1007 patients were collected retrospectively from Moroccan university children's hospitals. The sample was classified per age group:<1, 1-5, 5-10 and 10-15 years. The proposed DRLs were defined as 75th percentile of the distributions, which were in terms of CT dose index of 26.98, 28.88, 34.00 and 38.20 mGy and dose length product of 461.64, 540.06, 627.20 and 705.98 mGy.cm, respectively. The effective doses estimated were 3.6, 2.9, 2 and 1.79 mSv, respectively. The DRLs reported in Morocco were compared with those of other countries, which were based on the same age grouping method, including Thailand, Switzerland, Japan and the international DRLs. Our initiative via the determination of the first Moroccan diagnostic reference levels for paediatric head CT must be a starting point to spread this investigation towards other examinations and imaging modalities.
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