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Updated: May 23, 2025
Quantification of Levator Ani Hiatus Enlargement by Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Males and Females with Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Published on: April 17, 2019
Recommended National diagnostic reference levels for adult abdomino-pelvic computed tomography examinations in
Solomon Getachew Mekonnen1, Seife Teferi Dellie2, Teklehaimanot Mezgebe Nguse3
1Department of Technology and Innovation Management Office of Graduate Studies, Adama Science and Technology University, Adama, Ethiopia. solomon.getachew@gmail.com.
Background:
Computed Tomography (CT) plays a crucial role for diagnostic purpose; however, delivering optimal radiation dose to patients is the common challenge.
Objective:
The main objective of this study was to establish abdomino-pelvic national diagnostic reference levels (NDRL) in Ethiopia.
Methods:
A quantitative cross-sectional study design was employed in 23 health facilities. A total of 800 abdomino-pelvic CT scans of patients were evaluated from January, 2023 to March, 2024. Scan parameters, patient profile and CT dose describers were collected using a structured data collection format. Third quartile median values of the volumetric CT dose index (CTDIvol) and total dose length product (TDLP) were calculated using Microsoft Excel 2016 and SPSS software version 26. Finally, the results were compared with national, regional, and international DRL.
Result:
The third quartile values obtained from the median values of TDLP and CTDIvol that were used as NDRL were 1387 mGy.cm and 10.5 mGy, respectively. This study found the highest and lowest median TDLP values of 3370mGy.cm and 273.7mGy.cm respectively.
Conclusion:
The authors of this manuscript recommend that the NDRLs presented in this document can be used as a baseline against which hospitals future CT abdomino-pelvic median dose describers in Ethiopia can be compared.
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