Fabiola Cretti1, Giovanna Perugini2. 1. USC Fisica Sanitaria, Imaging Department, Azienda Ospedaliera Papa Giovanni XXIII, Piazza OMS 1, 24100, Bergamo, Italy. fabiolacretti@gmail.com. 2. USC Radiologia, Imaging Department, Azienda Ospedaliera Papa Giovanni XXIII, Piazza OMS 1, 24100, Bergamo, Italy.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at estimating the patient effective dose during whole-body low-dose multi detector computed tomography with a scanner Philips Brillance 64, and to compare it with those reported in literature for the same procedure and with the dose of the conventional X-ray examination in our institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: WBLDMDCT effective dose was evaluated for 29 MM patients, using Dose Length Product values. Conventional X-ray examination dose was estimated using a Rando Phantom and Dose Area Product indexes. ICRP Publication 103 based coefficients were used. RESULTS: Mean WBLDMDCT effective dose values-estimated using sex-specific conversion coefficients and body weight factors-were 3.6 and 2.8 mSv for females and males, respectively. The effective dose for the conventional method was 1.2 mSv for Rando phantom. CONCLUSION: The WBLDMDCT effective dose in our institution is consistent with the values reported in previous studies. Such a dose is about 2.5- to 3-fold higher than the mean radiation dose of the conventional X-ray study. Nevertheless, considering the improved diagnostic accuracy of the CT investigation, the comfort of the patient and the old age of the MM population, dose/quality ratio can be considered favourable.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at estimating the patient effective dose during whole-body low-dose multi detector computed tomography with a scanner Philips Brillance 64, and to compare it with those reported in literature for the same procedure and with the dose of the conventional X-ray examination in our institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: WBLDMDCT effective dose was evaluated for 29 MM patients, using Dose Length Product values. Conventional X-ray examination dose was estimated using a Rando Phantom and Dose Area Product indexes. ICRP Publication 103 based coefficients were used. RESULTS: Mean WBLDMDCT effective dose values-estimated using sex-specific conversion coefficients and body weight factors-were 3.6 and 2.8 mSv for females and males, respectively. The effective dose for the conventional method was 1.2 mSv for Rando phantom. CONCLUSION: The WBLDMDCT effective dose in our institution is consistent with the values reported in previous studies. Such a dose is about 2.5- to 3-fold higher than the mean radiation dose of the conventional X-ray study. Nevertheless, considering the improved diagnostic accuracy of the CT investigation, the comfort of the patient and the old age of the MM population, dose/quality ratio can be considered favourable.
Authors: T G Gleeson; J Moriarty; C P Shortt; J P Gleeson; P Fitzpatrick; B Byrne; J McHugh; M O'Connell; P O'Gorman; S J Eustace Journal: Skeletal Radiol Date: 2008-11-14 Impact factor: 2.199