Determination of dosimetric quantities in pediatric abdominal computed tomography scans

OBJECTIVE: Aiming at contributing to the knowledge on doses in computed tomography (CT), this study has the objective of determining dosimetric quantities associated with pediatric abdominal CT scans, comparing the data with diagnostic reference levels (DRL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was developed with a Toshiba Asteion single-slice CT scanner and a GE BrightSpeed multi-slice CT unit in two hospitals. Measurements were performed with a pencil-type ionization chamber and a 16 cm-diameter polymethylmethacrylate trunk phantom. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed in the values for weighted air kerma index (C(W)), but the differences were relevant in values for volumetric air kerma index (C(VOL)), air kerma-length product (P(KL,CT)) and effective dose. CONCLUSION: Only the C(W) values were lower than the DRL, suggesting that dose optimization might not be necessary. However, P(KL,CT) and effective dose values stressed that there still is room for reducing pediatric radiation doses. The present study emphasizes the importance of determining all dosimetric quantities associated with CT scans.