Abstract:
Computed tomography (CT) is known as a standard imaging modal ity prescribed for the head
and neck diagnostic imaging The introduction of multi-detector row CT (MDCT) has enabled
imaging of the entire neck region within 2–4 seconds. However, over-ranging due to helical
scanning, 3D-volume imaging, and small detector size lead to increased radiation dose in
MDCT scans The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) recommended
that the protection of specific tissues, particularly the lens of the eye, should be a priority The
objective of this study was to evaluate the radiation dose in MDCT for different head and neck
protocols. The Effective Dose (ED) of ten head and neck CT examinations from 214 adult
patients (mean age 49.2 ±15.9 years) were evaluated. The median ED values for sinuses:non
contrast (NC)+contrast enhanced (CE), sinuses:NC, Petrous bone (PTB)/Internal auditory
meatus (IAM):NC+CE, PTB/IAM:NC, or bit:NC+CE, orbit:NC, brain with orbit:NC, brain CT
angiography (CTA) subtraction, neck:NC and brain/neck:NC were 1.616 mSv, 0.821 mSv,
2.434 mSv, 0.932 mSv, 1.696 mSv, 0.825 mSv, 3.546 mSv, 6.249 mSv, 2.193 mSv and 5.285
mSv respectively. These values can be considered as typical values for the given institution.
Moreover, overall radiation doses of this present institution is well below the values suggested
by similar studies. However, brain CTA needs dose optimization since it is higher than the
values suggested by similar literature.
