Doses to patients for computed tomography in Sarajevo

Abstract

Clinical Centre of Sarajevo University is the largest hospital in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Computed tomography (CT) examinations are performed at the Institute of Radiology. The purpose of this paper is to give overview of patient doses received for various CT examinations. Three CT scanners are in practical use - 2, 4 and 64-slice unit. Two scanners are equipped with automatic dose modulation. CTDI measurements are performed using 10 cm ionization chamber and dosimetry phantom. Data relevant for dose is collected for 10 patients per body part for each scanner. The measured values of nCTDIw correspond to data shown on console. Mean effective doses for head examination range from 0.8-1.5, neck examination 0.5-2.8, thorax 2.5-10.5, abdomen 1.9-9.0, and pelvis 1.8-9.3. The total collective dose is 77 personSv. The results are below EU Diagnostic Reference Levels and are similar to doses in other European countries. Automatic dose modulation protocols show significant decrease in patient dose. The use of these protocols is recommended especially for non-standard patients such as children. © 2009 Springer-Verlag.