Abstract
The aim of this study was to update the radiation exposure for adult patients undergoing multi-slice CT (MSCT) examinations using size-specific dose estimates (SSDE). Console, displayed CTDI
vol
and scan parameters were retrospectively recorded for 423 adult patients in seven Sudanese hospitals. Patient torso diameters were measured using digital calipers on the scanner console. SSDE was determined based on transverse images (SSDE
trans
) and scout radiographs (SSDE
sco
). Size-specific conversion factors were used to translate the recorded CTDI
vol
into SSDE according to the procedure described in the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Report 204. In chest CT, mean CTDI
vol,
SSDE
trans
and SSDE
sco
ranged: from 4.3 to 47.5 mGy (average: 12.8), 5.5 to 70.3 mGy (average: 18.6) and 5.8 to 63.5 mGy (average: 18.7), respectively. In abdominal CT, mean CTDI
vol,
SSDE
trans
and SSDE
sco
ranged: from 4.0 to 74.5 mGy (average: 16), 5.5 to 152.8 mGy (average: 23.9) and 6.0 to 151.3 mGy (average: 25.21), respectively. Our study highlights the relationships between CT dose and patient dimensions measured from scout and transverse CT images. The correlations between the patient size and dose based on scout images were less significant than that based on transverse images. High dose levels and dose variations among hospitals reveal the need for standardization of scanning protocols and staff training on adoption of scanners’ dose reduction techniques.