Estimation of radiation dose to the lens of eyes of patients undergoing cranial computed tomography in a teaching Hospital in Osun state, Nigeria

Background: One of the means of assessing dose to pa ents from Computed tomography (CT) procedure is through the determina on of the skin entrance dose (ESD) with the apprecia on of the concern that ocular exposure effects from CT scan includes possible induc on of cancer and cataract. Due to the rela vely more recent introduc on of CT scans, li le work has been done in this area in the country including exposure dose on the lens of the eyes of pa ents undergoing Cranial Computed Tomography (C‐CT). Materials and Methods: The Entrance Surface Dose (ESD) to the lens of eyes of 26 pa ents who had cranial CT procedures at a University Teaching Hospital in Ile‐Ife, Nigeria has been determined in order to assess the level of radia on protec on compliance and op miza on of radia on safety at the hospital. Results: Results indicate that the doses to the pa ents ranged between 17.13 mGy and 51.98 mGy within the period under study. The average doses obtained for the pediatric pa ents (1.5‐18 yrs), young adults (19‐49 yrs) and adults (≥50 yrs) were 31.14 ±11.02 mGy, 41.81±12.60 mGy and 31.97 ± 11.31 mGy respec vely. The mean dose obtained in this study was lower than threshold for lens damage, therefore the dose recorded in this study is clinically safe. Conclusion: This study represents a requisite pedestal on the need for a na on‐wide evalua on and inves ga on of op miza on of procedures in radiological examina ons with a view to establishing a na onal dosimetry protocol and reference dose level or guidance level in the country.