Estimation of Mean Patient Dose Indices in Chest and Abdomen/Pelvis CT Examinations in Rafsanjan Ali Ibn Abitalib Hospital in 2018: A Descriptive Study

Background and Objectives: The radiation protection of patients in CT examinations is important due to its wide application and high contribution in collective dose of public, and its radiation effects. The purpose of this study was to estimate the mean patient dose indices in chest and abdomen/pelvic examinations as the first step in patient radiation protection process. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was performed on the dose indices of adult patients in chest and abdomen/pelvis examinations in CT institute in Rafsanjan Ali Ibn Abitalib Hospital, for 5 months in 2018. The volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) and size specific dose estimate (SSDE) were collected for 135 patients. The mean of dose indices were calculated for the body mass index (BMI), weight and lateral diameter groups and were compared to the diagnostic reference level (DRL) of Iran and threshold dose curve method. Results: The ranges of mean CTDIvol for lateral diameter, BMI and weight groups and for chest were 4.4-16.2, 5.6-16.2 and 4.1-16.2 mGy and for abdomen/pelvis were 5.9-19.3, 6.8-25.6 and 6.5-25.6 mGy. The corresponding values for SSDE and for chest were 7.7-11.9, 8.5-11.9 and 7.7-11.9 mGy and for abdomen/pelvis were 9.8-21.5, 10.7-21.5 and 10.5-21.5 mGy. Also, the mean of CTDIvol and DLP for standard size patients were lower than DRL of Iran. Conclusion: Comparison of mean patient dose indices for lateral diameter, BMI and weight groups for chest and abdomen/pelvis examinations with the threshold dose curve shows that the relatively optimum protocols are applied in this CT institute. However, more optimization in CT protocols can result in more patient dose reduction in CT examinations. Key words: CT scan, Radiation dosage, Dosimetry surveys, Rafsanjan   Funding: This research was funded by Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences. Conflict of interest: None declared. Ethical approval: The Ethics Committee of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences approved the study (IR.Rums.REC.1396.139).   How to cite this article: Mehdipour A, Parsi M, Khorram F S. Estimation of Mean Patient Dose Indices in Chest and Abdomen/Pelvis CT Examinations in Rafsanjan Ali Ibn Abitalib Hospital in 2018: A Descriptive Study. J Rafsanjan Univ Med Sci 2020; 19 (3): 295-304. [Farsi]