Alhujaili Sultan F, Alshabibi Abdulaziz S, Alafer Feras, Alrowaili Ziyad, Salah Hasan, Sulieman Abdelmoneim, Subahi Mahmoud, Al-Raddadi Khaled, Abuzaid Mohamed
Radiation Sciences and Medical Imaging Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia.
Department of Radiological Sciences, The College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 12372, Saudi Arabia.
Diagnostics (Basel). 2024 Dec 21;14(24):2882. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics14242882.
: Computed Tomography (CT) is crucial in medical diagnosis, particularly for head examinations. Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs) are pivotal in balancing diagnostic efficacy with radiation safety. International organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) provide guidelines for establishing DRLs, emphasizing their importance in optimizing radiation doses. : This study aimed to establish and standardize DRLs for head CT imaging in institutional and regional settings, emphasizing the need for tailored reference levels specific to each region's practices and standards. : Data collection included patient demographics, imaging parameters, and radiation dose indices, namely volume-weighted CT dose index (CTDIvol) and dose-length product (DLP). Statistical analyses were conducted to determine the median and 3rd quartile values for establishing DRLs. The results were compared with national and international benchmarks to assess variations in radiation doses across regions. : Demographic profiles detailed gender distributions and ages across hospitals. Imaging parameters exhibited variability in tube voltage, milliampere-seconds (mAs), pitch, scan length, and field of view (FOV). For CTDIvol, the 3rd quartile value was 65.8 mGy (range: 24.8-85.9 mGy), and for DLP, it was 1230.95 mGy·cm (range: 382.3-1189.0 mGy·cm). These values were slightly higher than the national DRLs for Saudi Arabia in 2021 and other international benchmarks, underscoring the need for further optimization and alignment of protocols. : Optimizing and standardizing DRLs for head CT imaging is crucial for effectively managing radiation doses while ensuring diagnostic accuracy. Comparison with national and international benchmarks highlighted the importance of tailoring reference levels to regional practices and standards, ensuring patient safety without compromising diagnostic efficacy.
计算机断层扫描（CT）在医学诊断中至关重要，尤其是在头部检查方面。诊断参考水平（DRLs）对于平衡诊断效果与辐射安全起着关键作用。国际原子能机构（IAEA）和国际放射防护委员会（ICRP）等国际组织提供了制定DRLs的指南，强调了它们在优化辐射剂量方面的重要性。本研究旨在在机构和区域层面建立并规范头部CT成像的DRLs，强调需要针对每个区域的实践和标准制定量身定制的参考水平。数据收集包括患者人口统计学信息、成像参数和辐射剂量指标，即体积加权CT剂量指数（CTDIvol）和剂量长度乘积（DLP）。进行统计分析以确定用于建立DRLs的中位数和第三四分位数。将结果与国家和国际基准进行比较，以评估各地区辐射剂量的差异。人口统计学概况详细说明了各医院的性别分布和年龄情况。成像参数在管电压、毫安秒（mAs）、螺距、扫描长度和视野（FOV）方面存在差异。对于CTDIvol，第三四分位数为65.8 mGy（范围：24.8 - 85.9 mGy），对于DLP，为1230.95 mGy·cm（范围：382.3 - 1189.0 mGy·cm）。这些值略高于沙特阿拉伯2021年的国家DRLs和其他国际基准，凸显了进一步优化和统一方案的必要性。优化和规范头部CT成像的DRLs对于在确保诊断准确性的同时有效管理辐射剂量至关重要。与国家和国际基准的比较突出了根据区域实践和标准调整参考水平的重要性，确保患者安全的同时不影响诊断效果。
