An investigation of radiation dose to adult subjects in computed tomography scanning in Shanghai, China / 中国辐射卫生

ABSTRACT

@#<b>Objective</b> To investigate dose parameters in computed tomography (CT) scanning of common body parts inall public medical institutions in Shanghai, China, and analyze the dose distribution of CT scanning among adult subjects in Shanghai, and to provide a basis for establishing the diagnostic reference levels of CT scanning in Shanghai. <b>Methods</b> We selected at least one medical institution with CT services each from all 16 districts of Shanghai. In each medical institution, a piece of CT equipment with qualified annual inspection was sampled to investigate the doses to subjects in head, chest, abdomen, and lumbar spine scanning. We collected the basic information of the subjects, CT scanning parameters, volumetric CT dose index (CTDI_vol), and dose length product (DLP). <b>Results</b> The scanning data of 1475 subjects were obtained. The 75th percentiles of the CTDI_vol of the head, chest, abdomen, and lumbar spine were 57 mGy, 11 mGy, 16 mGy, and 23 mGy, respectively. The 75th percentiles of the DLP were 862 mGy·cm, 361 mGy·cm, 593 mGy·cm, and 550 mGy·cm, respectively. <b>Conclusion</b> CTDI_vol and DLP differed significantly at different body parts, and also differed greatly at the same body parts. The DLP of men was slightly higher than that of women.