Determination of computed tomography diagnostic reference levels in North-Central Nigeria

The aim of this study is to estimate computed tomography (CT) dose levels for common CT examinations in North-Central Nigeria. Dose parameters and scan parameters for the most commonly performed CT examinations (head, chest and abdominal CT scans) were surveyed during a four month period in 4 CT centres with Multislice scanning capabilities (4- 64 slices). Data on CT volume index (CTDIvol) and dose length product (DLP) displayed on scanner console was recorded for a minimum of 10 averaged-sized (70±10kg) patients for each facility to estimate the DRLs. The rounded 75th percentile of the distribution was then used to calculate a DRL for each centre and the region by compiling all results from centres surveyed. Data for 226 patients was collected. CT dosimetry software Impact CT patient dosimetry calculator, version 1.0.4 with National Radiation Protection Board SR250 data set was used to validate and compare surveyed scanner generated dose values. Estimated regional DRLs for head, chest and abdominal scans are (60mG and 1024 mGy.cm), (10mGy and 407mGy.cm) and (15mGy and 757mGy.cm) for CTDIvol and DLP respectively. Mean effective dose values are 1.7mSv, 5mSv and 11.9mSv for head, chest and abdominal scan respectively. A wide variation of mean doses was observed across the centres, however, DRLs estimates were lower than EC (1999) values but above UK (2003) DRLs except for chest examination, this indicates a need for optimization. Validation result show unity (‹10% overall variation) between scanner generated and software calculated dose values. (au)