Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 25, 2025
Making MR Imaging Child's Play - Pediatric Neuroimaging Protocol, Guidelines and Procedure
Published on: July 30, 2009
Clinical indication-based diagnostic reference levels for paediatric head computed tomography examinations in Kano
D Joseph Zira1, T Haruna Yahaya2, M S Umar2
1Department of Radiography, Federal University Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.
Insights
Paediatric head CT scans require tailored radiation dose levels due to increased cancer risk in children. This study established indication-based Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLCI) for paediatric head CT in Nigeria, aiding dose optimization.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Radiological Protection
- Paediatric Radiology
Background:
- Children are more susceptible to radiation-induced cancer than adults due to developing organs.
- Establishing appropriate radiation dose levels is crucial for paediatric computed tomography (CT).
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine indication-based Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLCI) for paediatric head CT examinations in Kano metropolis, Nigeria.
- To provide data for optimizing radiation doses in paediatric CT scans.
Main Methods:
- Collected CT dose index (CTDIvol) and dose length product (DLP) for 113 paediatric patients undergoing head CT.
- Categorized data by clinical indication and age group.
- Utilized third quartile (75th percentile) of median dose as DRLCI and ANOVA for statistical analysis.
Main Results:
- Established DRLCI values for various indications like hydrocephalus, hemorrhage/trauma, post-seizure, and intracranial space-occupying lesions across different paediatric age groups.
- Observed statistically significant differences in DRLCI among institutions (p=0.02).
- Found no significant difference between DRLCI for age groups <5 and 5-10 years (p=0.199).
Conclusions:
- The study provides essential DRLCI for paediatric head CT, serving as a benchmark for dose optimization.
- Highlights the need for dose optimization techniques and appropriate CT protocols for paediatric patients.
- Data can guide radiographers in selecting parameters for low-dose, high-quality paediatric head CT examinations.
Introduction:
Paediatric patients are recognised to be at higher risk of developing radiation-induced cancer than adults because of rapidly growing organs and tissues which are vulnerable to cellular damage. The aim of the study was to determine indication based Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLCI) for paediatric head computed tomography (CT) examinations within Kano metropolis, Nigeria.
Methods:
CT dose index (CTDIvol), dose length product (DLP) and other scan parameters were recorded for 113 paediatric undergoing CT head examinations. Different clinical indications were recorded and categorised in addition to patient age. Third quartile values (75th percentile) of the median dose were considered as DRLCI. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to test for differences between DRLCI, for different age groups, and variations among institutions. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23.0 was used for analysis. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results:
DRLCI for Hydrocephalus for <5 years and 5-10 years was 28.10 mGy and 28.11 mGy with DLP of 1623.20 mGy cm and 1623.21 mGy cm, respectively. The 11-15 year group recorded 29.10 mGy and 1625.20 mGy cm. Indications of haemorrhage/trauma and post-seizure imaging all had same values for <5 years and 5-10 years (28.10 mGy and 1623.20 mGy cm) while the 11 to 15-year group recorded 39.60 mGy and 1626 mGy cm. Intracranial Space Occupying lesion had the same DRLCI value for < 5years and 5-10 years (29.0 mGy and 1600 mGy cm, respectively) the 11 to 15-year group recorded values of 46.20 mGy and 1663.4 mGy cm. There was no statistically significant difference between DRLCI for <5 years and 5 to 10-year age groups (p = 0.199), while different centres showed some statistically significant relationships (p = 0.02).
Conclusion:
The study noted dose differences between age groups less than 10 years and above ten years, there were some statistically significant relationship with DRLCI. Dose optimisation techniques for paediatric examinations together with selection of the right protocol for paediatric head CT are necessary.
Implications For Practice:
The study has provided DRLCI for paediatric head CT examinations. These values can be used for future comparisons and as a potential dose optimisation tool. Such data can also guide radiographers when selecting appropriate parameters for indication-based CT examination to help achieve a low dose with acceptable image quality.
More Related Videos
08:10Neuroimaging Field Methods Using Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy NIRS Neuroimaging to Study Global Child Development: Rural Sub-Saharan Africa
Published on: February 2, 2018
10:26Author Spotlight: A 3D Digital Model for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Pulmonary Nodules
Published on: May 19, 2023
Related Concept Videos
01:27Imaging Studies III: Computed Tomography
01:14Imaging Studies I: CT and MRI
Description of the Procedures
Computed Tomography (CT) scan:
Computed Tomography (CT) scans use X-ray technology to generate detailed images of bones, organs, and tissues. During the scan, the patient lies on a moving table...