Assessment of effective dose and cancer risk for pediatric chest and pelvis CT procedures in the central region of Saudi Arabia

Background: CT accounts for the highest radiation dose among various imaging modalities. Children are more susceptible to the harmful effects of radiation because of their higher cell-division rate and the likelihood of longer lifespans. Therefore, it is important to monitor pediatric CT doses to minimize their potential risks. Aim: The objective of this study was to evaluate the radiation doses received by pediatrics undergoing trunk CT procedures and to estimate the associated cancer risk. Methods: A total of 255 pediatric patients who underwent chest (92 cases), abdomen & pelvis (133 cases), and chest-abdomen-pelvis (CAP) scans (30 cases) from hospitals within the central region of Saudi Arabia were categorized into four age groups: <1 year, 1–5 years, 6–10 years, and 11–15 years. The averages and ranges of DLP and CTDI_vol from each procedure were measured and compared with international reports. The effective dose and cancer risk from each procedure were also reported. Results: The mean and range DLP (mGy.cm) for chest, abdomen & pelvis, and CAP examinations were found to be 131.5 (13.8–375.5), 244 (10.5–1353), and 94.2 (23.5–239), respectively. The mean and range CTDI_vol (mGy) for chest, abdomen & pelvis, and CAP examinations were found to be 5.5 (1–33.8), 5.5 (0.9–18.6), and 3.6 (1.3–24.8) in order. The effective dose (mSv) and associated cancer risk (case/10,000 cases) for chest, abdomen & pelvis, and CAP ranges between (2.31–3.37; 1.27–1.85), (4.19–6.89; 2.30–3.78), and (1.89–3.58; 1.04–1.97), respectively. Conclusion: Estimations of effective doses and cancer risk were conducted for pediatric patients aged <1 through 15 years who underwent chest, abdomen & pelvis, and CAP procedures. The documented dose levels in this study were relatively elevated compared to similar reports, revealing substantial variations even within the same procedure and age group category. Therefore, prioritizing dose optimization practices becomes crucial to mitigate potential radiation-induced cancer risks.