CT Dose in Kids: Simple Estimation with DLP Conversion Coefficients

| Posted in: Science Health Sciences

Journal name: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
Original article title: Computed Tomography Dose in Paediatric Care: Simple Dose Estimation Using Dose Length Product Conversion Coefficients
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences (MJMS) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published online at least six times a year. It covers all aspects of medical sciences and prioritizes high-quality research.
This page presents a generated summary with additional references; See source (below) for actual content.

Original source:

This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated hence you should visit the source to read the original article which includes the author, publication date, notes and references.

Author:

Nor Hanani Mohd Tap, Mohamed Ariff Jaafar Sidek, Siti Farizwana Mohd Ridzwan, S. Elavarasi Selvarajah, Faizah Mohd Zaki, Hamzaini Abdul Hamid


The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences:

(A peer-reviewed, open-access journal)

Full text available for: Computed Tomography Dose in Paediatric Care: Simple Dose Estimation Using Dose Length Product Conversion Coefficients

Year: 2018 | Doi: 10.21315/mjms2018.25.4.8

Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0


Download the PDF file of the original publication


Summary of article contents:

Introduction

Multislice computed tomography (MSCT) has become increasingly prevalent in paediatric imaging worldwide, leading to concerns regarding the associated risks of radiation exposure, particularly the future risk of cancer. To address this issue, there is a critical need for accessible methodologies for estimating effective doses (EDs) for various paediatric CT examinations. This study aims to estimate the EDs of different CT scans across five age groups (neonates, 1-year-olds, 5-year-olds, 10-year-olds, and 15-year-olds) using recently published age- and region-specific dose length products (DLPs) as conversion coefficients.

Age-Related Effective Dosage Variation

The study found a notable inverse relationship between age and effective dose in CT scans. Specifically, the ED estimates for plain CT brain scans indicated a decrease with increasing age, ranging from 2.5 mSv for neonates to 0.8 mSv for 15-year-olds. Similarly, CT abdominal scans revealed the highest EDs at 18.8 mSv for neonates, consistently decreasing as age increased. The findings reported in this study suggest that younger patients are subjected to higher effective doses from CT scans, reaffirming the importance of implementing age-specific dose reduction strategies to minimize potential radiation exposure.

Conclusion

The study highlights the necessity of utilizing age- and region-specific DLP conversion coefficients for the estimation of effective doses in paediatric CT examinations. An overall lower ED compared to other centers was observed, suggesting an effective implementation of dose reduction strategies in the institution. As the risks associated with increased radiation exposure are more significant in children, the data from this study can lay the groundwork for establishing guidelines aimed at optimizing paediatric CT protocols while maintaining diagnostic image quality. Future studies with larger sample sizes and direct dosimetry data may further validate and enhance these findings.

FAQ section (important questions/answers):

What is the purpose of the study on pediatric CT examinations?

The study aims to estimate effective doses of various pediatric computed tomography (CT) examinations across five age groups, utilizing recently published dose length products (DLPs) as effective dose conversion coefficients to assess potential future cancer risks from radiation exposure.

How were the effective doses estimated in this study?

The study employed a retrospective review of pediatric CT scans, assigning patients into age-specific groups. Effective doses were estimated by applying age- and region-specific conversion coefficients to the DLP data displayed on the CT console.

What were the main findings regarding effective doses in pediatric CT scans?

The findings indicated an inverse relationship between age and effective dose. Specifically, higher effective doses were observed in younger patients. The study also reported lower overall effective doses compared to data from other centers.

Why is understanding effective dose important for pediatric patients?

Understanding effective doses is crucial because children are more radiosensitive than adults. Since they have longer life expectancies, optimizing radiation exposure ensures that the potential risks of cancer arising from imaging procedures are effectively minimized.

Glossary definitions and references:

Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “CT Dose in Kids: Simple Estimation with DLP Conversion Coefficients”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.

1) Table:
In research literature, a table is a structured representation of data, commonly used to present findings clearly. It allows for quick comparison of values and helps summarize complex information, making it essential for displaying results like effective doses in CT scans, enhancing comprehension and aiding informed decision-making.

2) Study (Studying):
A study systematically investigates a particular phenomenon, often through observation and experimentation. In this context, the study explores the effective doses of pediatric CT examinations, providing critical data that informs clinical practices, enhances patient safety, and contributes to radiation dose awareness among healthcare professionals.

3) Performance:
Performance refers to the efficiency and effectiveness of a method or technique in achieving desired outcomes. In medical imaging, evaluating CT scanner performance directly influences patient exposure to radiation, driving improvements in technology, protocols, and clinical practices to optimize diagnostic quality while minimizing risks to patients, particularly children.

4) Thomas:
Thomas refers to a key researcher associated with establishing effective dose conversion coefficients used in pediatric computed tomography (CT). His influential work provides a foundational understanding of age-specific radiation exposure, which is crucial for developing safer imaging protocols and minimizing potential long-term health risks for children undergoing CT scans.

5) Cancer:
Cancer is a significant health concern often related to radiation exposure, including medical imaging technologies like CT. Understanding effective doses is imperative to assess lifetime risks of radiation-induced cancer, especially in vulnerable populations such as children, prompting the need for dose optimization and strict adherence to safety protocols.

6) Calculation:
Calculation in this context refers to determining the effective doses of radiation from CT scans using specific conversion coefficients. Accurate calculations are vital for assessing patient exposure levels, guiding clinical decisions regarding imaging protocols, and ultimately ensuring patient safety while maximizing the diagnostic benefits of radiological examinations.

7) Developing:
Developing describes the process of enhancing medical imaging practices in countries striving to improve healthcare standards, including better radiation safety protocols. In this study’s context, it highlights the importance of implementing age-appropriate effective dose estimation methods to mitigate risks associated with increasing use of CT scans among pediatric patients.

8) Measurement:
Measurement is the act of quantifying specific parameters, in this case, radiation doses from CT scans. Accurate and consistent measurements are crucial for assessing patient safety, benchmarking against established standards, and determining the effectiveness of radiation reduction strategies in pediatric imaging, ultimately informing radiological practices and methodologies.

9) Discussion:
Discussion in academic literature encompasses interpreting study findings, contextualizing results, and considering implications for practice and future research. This section allows authors to address limitations, compare findings with existing literature, and suggest pathways for improving radiation safety and enhancing pediatric healthcare practices in imaging settings.

10) Medicine:
Medicine is the field concerning the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of illness. Understanding effective doses in pediatric CT scans is integral in modern medicine, as it directly impacts patient care, fosters informed decision-making, and raises awareness about radiation safety and its potential long-term health consequences for young patients.

11) Nagel:
Nagel is mentioned as a significant contributor to the discourse around pediatric radiation exposure in CT scans. His insights might emphasize the necessity for proper dosimetry and radiation safety in medical imaging, which is critical for ensuring that pediatric patients receive the lowest effective dose necessary for accurate diagnosis.

12) Rules:
Rules in this context refer to established guidelines and regulations in radiology that govern radiation safety and dose optimization. Following these rules ensures that healthcare professionals minimize radiation exposure for patients, particularly vulnerable populations like children, while still obtaining necessary diagnostic information from imaging studies.

13) Wall:
Wall is another key contributor to the field of radiation dose research. His work, often cited in discussions about calculated effective doses, supports the establishment of safer imaging protocols, making his contributions vital in explaining age-related sensitivities to radiation and advancing knowledge in radiation protection practices.

14) Gold (Golden):
The term gold commonly represents a standard or benchmark. In medical imaging, achieving 'gold standard' practices implies adherence to the best possible methods and protocols for radiation safety, ensuring low patient exposure while maintaining high diagnostic image quality, essential for effective healthcare delivery.

15) Knowledge:
Knowledge in this context relates to the understanding of effective dose calculations and their implications for medical imaging procedures. It forms the basis for informed decision-making among radiologists and healthcare providers, promoting practices that protect pediatric patients from unnecessary radiation exposure while ensuring diagnostic efficacy.

16) Quality:
Quality in medical imaging refers to the standard of diagnostic information obtained from imaging techniques like CT scans. Ensuring high-quality imaging while minimizing radiation doses is critical, particularly for pediatric patients, advocating for continuous improvements in imaging practices and adherence to safety protocols among healthcare professionals.

17) Account:
Account in this context relates to the need for healthcare professionals to take into account various factors when performing radiological examinations on pediatric patients. This includes understanding how age and body size impact radiation exposure, leading to the implementation of tailored imaging protocols that prioritize patient safety.

18) Science (Scientific):
Science refers to the systematic study of the natural world, underpinning advances in medical imaging technologies. In this study, scientific principles guide the methods used to estimate effective doses from CT scans, contributing to evidence-based practices, enhancing radiation safety, and informing clinical decision-making in pediatric healthcare.

19) Family:
Family references may indicate considerations for the patient’s broader context. In the study of pediatric imaging, understanding familial health history and prior exposure can be crucial when evaluating risks and benefits, ensuring that imaging decisions are made with a comprehensive view of potential hereditary predispositions to conditions like cancer.

20) Roman (Roma):
The term Roman might symbolize ancient practices or foundational ideas that inform modern approaches. In the context of medical imaging and radiation dose evaluations, it underlines the importance of learning from historical perspectives on health and safety, applying them to contemporary standards and protocols that protect patients.

21) Doubt:
Doubt signifies uncertainty and vigilance in medical practices. In pediatric imaging, radiologists often encounter situations where the risks associated with radiation exposure must be weighed against diagnostic needs, prompting rigorous examination of protocols and advocating for the reduction of radiation doses to mitigate potential health risks to young patients.

22) Field:
Field refers to a specialized area of study or practice, such as radiology or medical physics. Advancements in the field of diagnostic imaging focus on minimizing radiation exposure through data-driven techniques, reflection on effective practices, and adherence to evolving safety protocols, ensuring pediatric patients' safety without sacrificing diagnostic quality.

23) House:
In medical terminology, house might refer to a clinical setting, institution, or environment where healthcare is delivered. It underlines the importance of institutional practices in ensuring safe and effective imaging protocols, which are fundamental in developing comprehensive strategies aimed at optimizing pediatric CT scan safety.

24) Post:
Post signifies outcomes or reflection on studies conducted. In medical imaging, post-study analyses reveal insights into effective dose calculations, informing future practices and guidelines aimed at improving radiation safety for pediatric patients and ensuring that ongoing research continues to refine imaging protocols to reduce risks.

25) Life:
Life underscores the significant impact that radiation exposure from medical imaging can have on health outcomes, particularly for children. Understanding the lifetime risks associated with cumulative radiation doses is crucial in developing safe imaging guidelines, advocating for practices that protect the long-term health of young patients undergoing CT examinations.

Other Health Sciences Concepts:

[back to top]

Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘CT Dose in Kids: Simple Estimation with DLP Conversion Coefficients’. Further sources in the context of Health Sciences might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:

Ed, Pelvic Region, Inverse relationship, Age-group, CT scan, Medical imaging, Paediatric population, Age distribution, Standard protocol, Effective dose, Magnetic resonance imaging, CT abdomen, Radiological examination, Computed tomography, ALARA principle, Ovarian cancer, Radiation exposure, Neonatal patients, International Commission on Radiological Protection, Clinical Audit, Comparative assessment, Paediatric patients, CT Brain, Picture archiving and communication system, Multislice computed tomography, Radiation dose, Diagnostic quality, Retrospective review, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Institutional guidelines, High resolution CT, Patient age, Dose measurement, CT brain scan, Radiologist, Monte Carlo simulation, CT examination, Small sample.

Let's grow together!

I humbly request your help to keep doing what I do best: provide the world with unbiased sources, definitions and images. Your donation direclty influences the quality and quantity of knowledge, wisdom and spiritual insight the world is exposed to.

Let's make the world a better place together!

Like what you read? Help to become even better: