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International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine Research

ISSN Online: 2575-7970 ISSN Print: 2575-7989 CODEN: IJCEMH
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ArticleOpen Access http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/ijcemr.2025.01.014

Adult Size Specific, Organ, and Effective Dose Estimates in Computed Tomography

Gertrude Ayugi1,*, Bosco Oruru1, Henry Kyagulanyi1, Emmanuel Muhoozi1, Wellen Rukundo2

1Department of Physics, School of Physical Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala 7062, Uganda.

2Uganda Atomic Energy Council, Kampala 7044, Uganda.

*Corresponding author: Gertrude Ayugi

Published: February 26,2025

Abstract

The optimization of Computed Tomography (CT) imaging protocols and ensuring patient safety is crucial in medical diagnostics. Accurate dose estimation tailored to individual patients can significantly enhance radiation protection. This study focuses on calculating patient-specific Size-Specific Dose Estimate (SSDE) and effective doses using CTDIvol and Dose Length Product (DLP) values from CT scanners, covering common protocols for brain, chest, abdomen, and combined chest-abdomen scans, including both contrasted and non-contrasted procedures. The study analyzed CT examination data from 967 adult patients, with a patient cohort of 42.2% males and 57.8% females, aged between 18 and 110 years, and an average weight of 78.77 kg. The median values of CTDIvol were 5.92 mGy for abdominal scans, 25.23 mGy for brain scans, 5.61 mGy for chest scans, and 6.17 mGy for combined chest-abdomen scans. The calculated organ doses were within acceptable radiological safety limits and varied significantly based on patient size and scan protocols. The effective doses were generally lower than the national Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs). The study revealed strong correlations between CTDIvol and SSDE (rs = 0.9761, p < 0.0005), and SSDE and DLP (rs = 0.9255, p < 0.0005), indicating that an increase in CTDIvol and DLP correspond to an increase in SSDE. These findings underscore the importance of considering these parameters when assessing patient doses. The findings indicate that the calculated organ doses are within safe radiological limits, highlighting the importance of Size-Specific Dose Estimates (SSDE) in accurately estimating patient doses. The alignment of median values for CTDIvol, SSDE, and DLP with national DRLs underscores effective dose management in the imaging centers studied. Continuous dose monitoring and protocol optimization are essential to minimize radiation exposure while ensuring high diagnostic quality. This study emphasizes the need for individualized dose assessments to enhance radiation protection and patient safety in CT imaging. This study addresses the gap in patient dose estimation by analyzing Size-Specific Dose Estimates (SSDE) and effective doses across various CT protocols, ensuring more accurate radiation protection beyond standard Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs).

Keywords

Computed Tomography; Dosimetry; Size-Specific Dose Estimate; Patient Radiation Dose; Dose Length Product

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How to cite this paper

Adult Size Specific, Organ, and Effective Dose Estimates in Computed Tomography

How to cite this paper:  Gertrude Ayugi, Bosco Oruru, Henry Kyagulanyi, Emmanuel Muhoozi, Wellen Rukundo. (2025) Adult Size Specific, Organ, and Effective Dose Estimates in Computed Tomography. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine Research, 9(1), 73-81.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/ijcemr.2025.01.014

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