SIZE-SPECIFIC DOSE ESTIMATES FOR PEDIATRIC NON-CONTRAST HEAD CT SCANS: A RETROSPECTIVE PATIENT STUDY IN TUNJA, COLOMBIA

This investigation is aimed to study the feasibility of size-specific dose estimate (SSDE) to patient dosimetry in pediatric head CT scans and to establish typical values in a hospital in Tunja, Colombia. The volumetric computed tomography index (CTDIvol) and the dose-length product of 468 pediatric patients from newborn to 15-year-olds, who underwent non-contrast head CT scans, were collected retrospectively. For 186 cases only, SSDE was estimated using patient attenuated-based size metrics and CTDIvol,16-to-SSDE conversion factors reported in AAPM report 293. Results showed that SSDE is an accurate metric that can be used to establish typical dose values from pediatric head CT scans. Median SSDE values of 33.5, 31.6, 36.2 and 57.9 mGy were established as typical dose values for the 0–<3 months, 3 months–<1 y, 1–<6 y and ≥6 y, respectively, to further assist the optimization process at the hospital. Further studies with more robust data of patients and hospitals should be conducted to establish local and national dose reference levels from pediatric CT scans in Colombia.

Correction to: Optimization of pediatric CT scans in a developing country

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Optimization of pediatric CT scans in a developing country

Background The purpose of this study was to assess scan parameters and to propose strategies to optimize the examinations of children (from 0 to 15 years old) on adult scanners in developing countries. Methods A study was done in 2015 and 2018 on 312 pediatric patients to verify improved practices. The study of 2015 ended with proposed strategies. Dose and scan parameters were available for prospective dose analysis. These strategies were implemented in a study of 2018. Results Amount the CT examinations study in this paper, the common was head trauma (90 %). For every pediatric CT scan in 2015, a kV of 120 was used in the various hospitals. The mAs ranged from 57.75 to 283.33, slice thicknesses from 1.25 to 2.5 mm and pitch from 0.525 to 1.375 mm. In the study of 2018, implementing the strategy defined in the methodology and proposed in 2015: CTDIVol decreased by 21.27 % for children < 1 year, 31.97 % for children 1–4 years, 17 % for children 5–9 years. DLP also decreased by 25.14 %, 36.29 % and 19.85 % for children < 1 year, 1–4 years and 5–9 years respectively. Children were exposed to ionizing radiation on machines designed for adults, but now the doses received by children are reduced. Conclusions The reduction of doses during the pediatric CT examination is possible with the introduction of new optimization protocols or the acquisition of a new machine with a pediatric protocol.