Establishmentof diagnostic reference levels in computed tomography for paediatric patients in Sudan: A pilot study

  • A. Sulieman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

30 Scopus citations

Abstract

Paediatric patients are recognised to be at higher risk of developing radiation-induced cancer than adults. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the radiation doses to paediatric patients during computed tomography (CT) procedures in order to propose local diagnostic reference levels (DRLs). A total of 296 patients (aged 6-10 y) were investigated in 8 hospitals equipped with 64-, 16- and dual-slice CT machines. The mean dose length product values were 772, 446 and 178 mGy cm for head, abdomen and chest, respectively. Imaging protocols were not adapted to the patient's weight in certain CT machines. The results confirmed that paediatric patients are exposed to an unnecessary radiation dose. The established DRLs were higher than those available in other countries. This study showed the need for harmonisation of the practice in CT departments and radiation dose optimisation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)91-94
Number of pages4
JournalRadiation Protection Dosimetry
Volume165
Issue number1-4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jul 2015

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

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