Institutional Diagnostic Reference Level for CT Thorax in a University Hospital
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Abstract
Introduction: Pandemic of COVID-19 in 2020 has seen the rise of computed tomography (CT) thorax as the gold standard modality. CT exposes patients to the highest radiation; hence, routinely assessing dose optimisation is essential. This study conducted to establish a diagnostic reference level (DRL) for CT thorax in an institution and assess conformity to the established national standard. In this study, the values weighted CT dose index (CTDIw), CT Dose index volume (CTDIv) and dose length product (DLP) were collected and correlated to the patient’s age, body mass index (BMI) and values were compared between genders. DRL in CTDIw and DLP were presented as 75th percentile as suggested by ICRP. Materials and methods: Patient data and dose related to CT thorax (N = 83) were collected retrospectively through system from December 2022 until May 2023. Results: The institution dose presented 12.93 mGy for CTDIvol, 7.63 mGy for CTDIw and 553 mGy.cm for DLP. DLP value in this study slightly higher by 21% and CTDIw were significantly lower by 64% compared with MOH Malaysia. There is significant correlation between CTDIw and DLP with BMI which suggesting that the higher the patient’s BMI, the higher the CTDIw value. Subsequently, there is no significant different between genders (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The DRL value suggested for this institution are within the national and international level. The requisite for further dose optimisation for CT thorax according to the patient’s demographics to reduce the feasible stochastic effects and application of ALARA concepts to the patients.
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