Analysis of Contrast-enhanced CT Radiation Dose in Children

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Medical Physics
• Pediatric Imaging

Background:

• Minimizing radiation exposure in pediatric imaging is a global priority.
• Establishing diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for contrast-enhanced CT in children is essential for quality control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess typical radiation dose values from contrast-enhanced CT examinations in pediatric patients.
• To compare these values with existing domestic and international DRLs.
• To identify areas for protocol optimization in pediatric contrast-enhanced CT.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of contrast-enhanced CT data from 330 pediatric patients (January 2020 - December 2024).
• Patients categorized into four age groups (0-4, >4-10, >10-14, >14-18 years).
• Collected data included patient information, scan parameters, CTDIvol, and DLP; analyzed differences across age groups.

Main Results:

• Effective doses varied by examination region (e.g., head CTA 54.48 mSv, liver 14.74 mSv).
• No significant differences in CTDIvol and DLP were found across age groups for head, neck, chest, and coronary artery scans.
• Significant differences in CTDIvol and DLP were observed for liver, kidney, and abdominal scans among different age groups (P<0.05).
• CTDIvol values for some pediatric age groups exceeded international DRL standards.

Conclusions:

• Radiation dose in some pediatric contrast-enhanced CT regions shows no significant age-related variation.
• Certain CTDIvol values surpass international DRLs, highlighting the need to optimize contrast-enhanced CT protocols for pediatric patients.
• This study provides a reference for internal quality control and guides protocol adjustments to reduce radiation exposure.