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Updated: Mar 6, 2026
X-ray Dose Reduction through Adaptive Exposure in Fluoroscopic Imaging
Published on: September 11, 2011
A scoping review of radiation dose and image quality in paediatric CT: Towards safe imaging protocols and diagnostic
Sara Fatehi Hameedat1, Yasmin Md Radzi2, Mohammed Dawood Salman3
1School of Physics, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11700 Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia; Diagnostic Radiology Department, Al-Bashir Hospital, Amman 11118, Jordan.
Insights
Jordan needs national paediatric CT Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs) due to high radiation doses. Establishing DRLs and using dose-reduction tech can improve child safety in medical imaging.
Area of Science:
- Radiology and Medical Imaging
- Paediatric Health
- Radiation Protection
Background:
- Computed tomography (CT) poses radiation risks, particularly for children.
- Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs) are crucial for optimizing radiation doses.
- Jordan lacks established national paediatric CT DRLs, necessitating urgent action.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review international paediatric CT DRLs.
- To evaluate current radiation dose practices in Jordan.
- To recommend evidence-based national DRLs and imaging protocols for Jordan.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search (PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, 2010-2024).
- PRISMA guidelines followed.
- Included studies reporting CT Dose Index volume (CTDIvol) and Dose-Length Product (DLP) for paediatric patients.
Main Results:
- Significant international variations in paediatric CT radiation doses observed.
- Jordanian studies showed higher doses compared to international standards.
- Lack of standardized protocols and limited dose-reduction technology contribute to higher doses in Jordan.
Conclusions:
- Jordan requires immediate establishment of national paediatric CT DRLs (age- and size-specific).
- Implementation of standardized protocols and dose-reduction technologies is essential.
- Adopting international best practices enhances patient safety in paediatric CT.
Background:
Computed tomography (CT) is an essential diagnostic tool, but its associated radiation exposure raises significant concerns, especially for radiosensitive paediatric populations. Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs) are vital for dose optimization, yet many regions, including Jordan, lack established national DRLs for children.
Objective:
This study systematically reviews international evidence on paediatric CT DRLs, assesses current radiation dose practices in Jordan, and offers evidence-based recommendations for establishing national DRLs and optimized imaging protocols.
Methods:
A systematic literature search was performed across PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar for studies published between 2010 and 2024, following PRISMA guidelines. Studies reporting CT Dose Index volume (CTDIvol) and Dose-Length Product (DLP) for paediatric patients were included.
Results:
Twenty-eight studies made up the final analysis, showing significant variations in radiation doses across different countries and institutions. Studies from Jordan indicated notably higher dose levels (e.g., head CT DLP up to 1400 mGy·cm) compared to European and other international standards. This difference is mainly due to the lack of standardized protocols and the limited use of advanced dose-reduction technologies. The review also emphasizes that modern reconstruction techniques, such as Deep Learning Reconstruction (DLIR), can lower radiation doses by 20-50% without sacrificing image quality.
Conclusion:
Jordan urgently needs to establish national, age- and size-specific paediatric DRLs. Implementing standardized protocols, investing in dose-reduction technologies, and encouraging ongoing education are crucial steps to align with international best practices and improve patient safety in paediatric CT imaging.
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