Radiation doses during computed tomography scan imaging in Hassan II Hospital, Agadir, Morocco

INTRODUCTION: the aim of this study was to establish local Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs) for four adult Computed Tomography (CT) examinations in the radiology department, Hassan II hospital of Agadir. METHODS: during this survey, we have examined the data of 200 patients at an average of 50 per localization. A General Electric 16 CT with automatic exposure control system was used to perform all CT examinations. Scanner acquisition parameters, number of series, contrast medium use, rotation time plus slice thickness, the displayed Computed Tomography Dose Index (CTDI(vol)), and the Dose Length Product (DLP) were among the data collected for each diagnostic exam chosen. To evaluate the DRL and effective dose, the conversion factor and formalism of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) were utilized. RESULTS: the average effective dose (Eeff), the displayed CT dose index (CTDI(vol)), dose length product (DLP) were (7.28±2.35) mSv, (10.80±3.80) mGy and (428.35±138.26) mGy.cm respectively at chest CT. For abdomen-pelvis CT scan, there were (12.48±5.58) mSv, (9.30±2.99) mGy and (805.43±359.98) mGy. Those at chest abdomen-pelvic CT scan were (11.72±3.98) mSv, (10.82±2.53) mGy and (755.97±251.52) mGy.cm respectively. For lumbar CT, there were (12.12±2.32) mSv, (26.46±5.24) mGy and (787.00±149.37) mGy.cm respectively. CONCLUSION: the findings of this study shows that our values are slightly higher than those of developed countries. This first-ever CT practice evaluation at Agadir's Hassan II Hospital reinforced the need for further radiology training for computed tomography practitioners on parameters influencing image quality, dose, and protocols improvement.