ESTABLISHMENT OF LOCAL DIAGNOSTIC REFERENCE LEVEL FOR ROUTINE PAEDIATRIC COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY EXAMINATIONS IN...

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Radiological Physics
• Public Health

Background:

• Computed Tomography (CT) examinations are crucial diagnostic tools.
• Establishing Local Diagnostic Reference Levels (LDRLs) is essential for radiation dose optimization.
• Previous LDRL data for CT in western Cameroon were lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine LDRLs for routine head CT examinations in Bafoussam, western Cameroon.
• To compare these LDRLs with international benchmarks.
• To provide recommendations for optimizing CT procedures and reducing patient radiation doses.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective, evaluative, and comparative study design was employed.
• Exposure parameters and dose quantities (CTDIvol, DLP) were manually collected.
• The 75th percentile of CTDIvol and DLP values were calculated for four age groups and proposed as LDRLs.

Main Results:

• LDRLs for head CT were determined for different pediatric age groups.
• The calculated LDRLs for CTDIvol and DLP were found to be higher than international values.
• Specific LDRL values for age groups <1, 1-5, 5-10, and 10-15 years were reported.

Conclusions:

• The established LDRLs for head CT in Bafoussam exceed international standards.
• There is a need for optimization of CT protocols and equipment in the region.
• Collaboration between healthcare professionals (radiologists, technicians, physicists) is recommended to reduce radiation exposure and improve medical practice.