| dc.description.abstract | Abstract:
Objective: This study aims to estimate organ dose and cancer risks, establish region-specific diagnostic reference levels (DRLs), and determine achievable doses (ADs) for common CT procedures in adults in the northwest of Iran.
Method: Effective and organ doses were estimated using VirtualDoseCT software in a sample of 480 adult patients who underwent head, sinus, chest, and abdomen-pelvis (AP) CT scans. The guidelines provided by the BEIR VII report were utilized to estimate cancer risks. The established DRLs values for CTDIvol and DLP in common CT examinations were compared with other relevant research studies.
Results: Effective and organ doses for specific procedures were determined, with the highest mean organ dose being observed in the brain during head CT examinations, with a value of 54.02 mGy. It was observed that the lungs in chest examinations and the colon in AP examinations had the highest risk of cancer, with rates of 30.72 and 21.37 per 100,000 persons, respectively. Higher cancer risk values were generally exhibited by females compared to males. The DRLs for common CT examinations were established as follows: Head CT (CTDIvol 41 mGy, DLP 760 mGy.cm), Sinus CT (CTDIvol 16 mGy, DLP 261 mGy.cm), Chest CT (CTDIvol 8 mGy, DLP 287 mGy.cm), and AP CT (CTDIvol 9 mGy, DLP 508 mGy.cm). Significant variations in dose distribution among facilities were identified, indicating the need for optimization.
Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of minimizing radiation exposure to critical organs and promoting patient safety in CT examinations. The establishment of region-specific DRLs and ADs can help optimize radiation doses and reduce cancer risks for patients.
Keywords: Computed tomography, effective dose, organ dose, cancer risk, diagnostic reference levels, achievable doses, Iran | en_US |
