Radiation Dose Management in Pediatric Brain CT According to Age and Weight as Continuous Variables

The diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for pediatric brain computed tomography (CT) are provided for groups divided according to age. We investigated the relationships of radiation dose indices (volume CT dose index and dose length product) with age and weight, as continuous variables, in pediatric...

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Published inTomography (Ann Arbor) Vol. 8; no. 2; pp. 985 - 998
Main Authors Inoue, Yusuke, Itoh, Hiroyasu, Waga, Anri, Sasa, Ryosuke, Mitsui, Kohei
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Switzerland MDPI 01.04.2022
MDPI AG
Subjects
brain
Brain - diagnostic imaging
Child
computed tomography
diagnostic reference level
Diagnostic Reference Levels
Humans
pediatrics
Radiation Dosage
radiation dose
Retrospective Studies
Tomography, X-Ray Computed - methods
computed tomography
radiation dose
diagnostic reference level
brain
pediatrics
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Summary:The diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for pediatric brain computed tomography (CT) are provided for groups divided according to age. We investigated the relationships of radiation dose indices (volume CT dose index and dose length product) with age and weight, as continuous variables, in pediatric brain CT. In a retrospective analysis, 980 pediatric brain CT examinations were analyzed. Curve fitting was performed for plots of the CT dose indices versus age and weight, and equations to estimate age- and weight-dependent standard dose indices were derived. Standard dose indices were estimated using the equations, and the errors were calculated. The results showed a biphasic increase in dose indices with increasing age and weight, characterized by a rapid initial and subsequent slow increase. Logarithmic, power, and bilinear functions were well fitted to the plots, allowing estimation of standard dose indices at an arbitrary age or weight. Error analysis suggested that weight was mildly better than age and that the best results were obtained with the bilinear function. Curve fitting of the relationship between CT dose indices and age or weight facilitates the determination of standard dose indices in pediatric brain CT at each facility and is expected to aid the establishment and application of the DRLs.
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ISSN:2379-139X
2379-1381
2379-139X
DOI:10.3390/tomography8020079