Survey of practice in paediatric computed tomography.

The purpose of this study was to explore the frequency of paediatric computed tomography (CT) examinations in several hospitals in Bulgaria and to assess the current practice. The standard forms provided by the International Atomic Emergency Agency for survey of the paediatric CT practice were used. Six hospitals provided data on frequency of paediatric CT examinations performed in 2009. Large variations in dose, up to a factor of 4, were found among the centres within the same age group for a given procedure, and in one of the hospitals the paediatric dose was twice higher than the adult dose. Seven departments use dedicated CT protocols for children. Only 4 in 12 departments keep records of patient dose. Dose information for previous examinations is not required by the radiologists. The collected detailed data provided preliminary information how the patient doses in paediatric CT can be reduced. Recommendations were given based on the findings.