Towards establishment of the national reference dose levels from computed tomography examinations in Tanzania
Open accessAbstract
Without the knowledge of reference dose levels (RDLs) from computed tomography (CT) examinations, the optimal dose to patients undergoing CT examinations cannot be realised. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the radiation dose levels from CT examinations according to reference dose quantities proposed by the European Commission (EC) guidelines. The dosimetric quantities proposed in the EC for CT are weighted CT dose index (CTDI(w)) for a single slice and dose-length product (DLP) for a complete examination. The RDLs from five common CT examinations were obtained from eight hospitals. The RDLs in terms of CTDI(w) and DLP were estimated from measurements of CTDI in standard phantoms using typical exposure parameters. Mean values of CTDI(w) for head and lumbar spine had a range of 25-77 and 18-47 mGy, respectively, while those for chest, abdomen and pelvis had a range of about 11-25 mGy, respectively. Mean values of DLP for head, chest and abdomen had a range of 610-1684, 496-992 and 717-1428 mGy cm, respectively, while those for lumbar spine and pelvis had a range of 200-382 and 526-1302 mGy cm, respectively. Wide variations of mean CTDI(w) and DLP values among hospitals observed for similar CT examinations were mainly attributed to the variations of CT scanning protocols and scanner types. The mean CTDI(w) values per examination for almost all hospitals were below proposed RDLs, while the mean DLP values per examination were almost all above the proposed RDLs for all except one hospital. These were mainly influenced by the large scan length used in Tanzanian hospitals. In order to achieve the required level of dose for establishment of the national RDLs, it was concluded that further investigation of optimization of scanning protocols is needed.
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Without knowledge of diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) from CT examinations, the optimal dose for patients undergoing CT examinations cannot be realised.
“Without the knowledge of diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) from CT examinations, the optimal dose for patients undergoing CT examinations cannot be realised [2].”
From Adult Computed Tomography examinations in Uganda: Towards determining the National Diagnostic Reference Levels (2022) · cites this paper as [2]
The Introduction says that without CT reference dose levels it would be difficult to assess how well patient doses are optimised in Tanzania, and describes reference levels as a first step in optimisation. The claim goes further by saying optimal doses cannot be realised without them, rather than that optimisation is difficult to assess. (LLM, conf=0.86)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredWide variations of the mean weighted CTDI (CTDIw) and DLP values for similar CT scan examinations amongst Tanzanian hospitals were mainly attributed to the variations in CT scanning protocols and scanner types.
“Wide variations of the mean weighted CTDI (CTDIw) and DLP values for similar CT scan examinations amongst Tanzanian hospitals were mainly attributed to the variations in CT scanning protocols and scanner types.”
From Adult Computed Tomography examinations in Uganda: Towards determining the National Diagnostic Reference Levels (2022) · cites this paper as [2]
The Tanzanian DLP values were mainly influenced by the large scan length used.
“These were mainly influenced by the large scan length used in these studies.”
From Adult Computed Tomography examinations in Uganda: Towards determining the National Diagnostic Reference Levels (2022) · cites this paper as [2]
In Tanzania, the mean CTDI(w) values per examination for almost all hospitals were below the proposed DRLs, while the mean DLP values per examination were almost all above the proposed DRLs for all except one hospital.
“The mean CTDI(w) values per examination for almost all hospitals were below the proposed DRLs, while the mean DLP values per examination were almost all above the proposed DRLs for all except one hospital.”
From Adult Computed Tomography examinations in Uganda: Towards determining the National Diagnostic Reference Levels (2022) · cites this paper as [2]
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- Authors
- Ngaile, J. E., Msaki, P., & Kazema, R.
- Affiliations
- University of Dar es Salaam (TZ)
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (TZ)
- Corresponding author
- Kazema, R
- ORCID
- Ngaile, J E
- Venue
- Journal of Radiological Protection
- Publisher
- IOP Publishing
- Published
- 2006-05-26
- Volume
- 26
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 213-225
- ISSN
- 0952-4746 (ISSN-L)
- 1361-6498
- OpenAlex
- W2086233086
- Cited by
- 37
- References
- 12
- Citations by year
- 2025: 2 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 2 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 1.07
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Journal of Radiological Protection (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Radiation Dose and Imaging
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Radiation › Advanced Radiotherapy Techniques
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine › Digital Radiography and Breast Imaging
- Keywords
- computed tomography, radiation dose, dose-length product, CT scanning protocols, head CT, lumbar spine CT, Tanzania
- MeSH terms
- Body Burden, European Union, Humans, Radiation Dosage, Radiometry, Reference Values, Relative Biological Effectiveness, Risk Factors, Tanzania, Tomography, X-Ray Computed, Risk Assessment
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