Evaluation of dosimetry and image quality of computerized tomography abdomen protocols

In this study, we evaluate the dosimetry and image quality of computed tomography multislice abdomen protocols for different tube current modulation techniques (ATCM). We used the 16-slice Toshiba Activion CT scanner with the 'SureExposure3D' ATCM system. Thermoluminescent dosimeters were placed inside the anthropomorphic phantom Alderson-Rando for dosimetric assessments. An analytical phantom was used for the objective evaluation of image quality. It is observed that the higher standard deviation technique (SD) has the lowest value of effective dose. The use of different tube current modulation techniques showed significant reduction of radiation doses for the abdomen exams in computed tomography. The ATCM protocols can be an excellent alternative to dose reduction in CT scans, since it does not impair the diagnostic image quality. (author)