Os exames de tomografia computadorizada (TC) de crânio são amplamente realizados por fornecerem imagens com alta qualidade diagnóstica. No entanto, estes têm contribuído com uma grande parcela da dose devido às exposições médicas, chegando até dois terços das doses relativas na população. Deste modo, procedimentos de qualidade e otimização das doses se tornam fundamental em TC. A avaliação da dose fornecida nesta modalidade diagnóstica é realizada por meio do índice volumétrico de dose (CTDIvol). Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o CTDIvol, em exames de TC de crânio, no modo axial, utilizando detectores termoluminescentes (TL) e comparar com o valor fornecido pelo equipamento. A aquisição dos dados foi realizada em um tomógrafo de 128 canais, utilizando um simulador cilíndrico de polimetilmetacrilato para obter as imagens. O CTDIvol,avaliado por meio de detectores TL, teve um valor de (74±15) mGy e o equipamento forneceu, no relatório de dose ao final do exame, um CTDIvol de 73,4 mGy. O valor calculado a partir da estimativa de dose nos detectores TL é compatível com o valor fornecido pelo equipamento. Este resultado demonstra a aplicabilidade de TLD100 para avaliações postais de TC e levantamento de níveis de referência locais e regionais em radiodiagnóstico.
Background
Pediatric patients are in a phase of high anatomical and physiological development, whose characteristics make them more radiosensitive to certain radiation exposures. Exposure to doses of radiation can lead to the occurrence of biological effects, including cancer.
Objectives
To analyze radiation exposures resulting from pediatric radiological examinations and to perform an optimization process, with the purpose to adequate use of the principles of radiological protection.
Methods
The analysis of radiation doses was performed using the technical parameters of the tests (voltage, current, exposure time and focus-skin distance), the patient's parameters (age, weight and thickness), the calculation of the radiation dose, using the output of the X-ray tube, all recorded at the time of the examination. The results were classified into 4 age groups and 5 weight groups.
Results
The results were classified according to the patient's age and weight, taking into account the radiation dose received. The data were also separated by gender, as the analysis showed that female patients are slightly smaller than male patients, and as a consequence, the doses received by this gender were lower. Examinations of the chest, abdomen, pelvis, skull and sinuses were analyzed and some groups received higher doses compared to other studies and international dose reference levels (DRL).
Conclusions
An optimization study must be carried out to verify the possible cause of such values, readjusting the values of the technical parameters and performing a new radiation dose analysis.
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