ESTIMATION OF FETAL AND PEDIATRIC DOSES FROM CHEST CT EXAMINATIONS USING VIRTUALDOSE SOFTWARE.

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiological Dosimetry
• Public Health

Background:

• Chest computed tomography (CT) scans were sometimes necessary for pregnant women and children during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Accurate estimation of radiation doses is crucial for risk assessment in vulnerable populations.
• Limited data exists on fetal and pediatric radiation doses from COVID-19-related chest CT examinations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate fetal and pediatric organ and effective doses from chest CT scans performed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To provide data that can inform radiologists and patients about radiation exposure levels.
• To evaluate the impact of extended scan ranges on radiation doses.

Main Methods:

• Utilized VirtualDose-CT software for organ dose and effective dose calculations.
• Employed computational human phantoms representing pregnant females and pediatric patients.
• Normalized doses to volumetric CT Dose Index (CTDIvol) for universal applicability.

Main Results:

• Fetal absorbed doses ranged from 0.04-0.36 mGy (3 months) to 0.07-0.61 mGy (9 months) for chest CT, increasing fourfold with abdominal extension.
• Pediatric effective doses for chest CT varied from 1.29-10.98 mSv (10-year-olds) to 1.62-13.77 mSv (newborns).
• Dose variations were observed based on age and scan range, highlighting the need for tailored assessments.

Conclusions:

• Chest CT scans result in relatively small radiation doses for fetuses and children.
• The calculated dose data enables informed decision-making regarding radiation exposure in pediatric and pregnant populations.
• Understanding dose levels aids in minimizing unnecessary radiation exposure during medical imaging.