Radiation dose of abdominopelvic Computed Tomography: an audit at a tertiary care children’s hospital in Sri  Lanka

Computed tomography (CT) is a vital imaging modality for accurate diagnosis and follow-up of various abdominopelvic conditions. Quantitative lifetime radiation risk is higher in children than adults. This study aimed to assess the radiation dose of abdominopelvic computed tomography (CTAP) at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children (LRH), Colombo Sri Lanka. A retrospective analysis of CT dose index volume (CTDIvol) and dose-length product (DLP) of CTAP in 150 patients with 30 patients in each weight category was conducted. Median values of DLP and CTDIvol quantities for each weight category were compared with international diagnostic reference levels (DRL). The median values of CTDIvol and DLP for the weight group <5kg were 2.9 mGy and 68.4 mGycm, 5<15kg were 3.8 mGy and 101.6 mGycm, 15<30kg were 5.1 mGy and 181.7 mGycm, 30<50kg were 8.5 mGy and 293.4 mGycm and 50<80kg were 13.7 mGy and 638.6 mGycm. DRL values in our institution were higher than the international values in some countries. A higher difference in DLP than CTDIvol indicates the possibility of further dose reduction at our institution by reducing scan length and/or the number of multiphasic studies. Further studies are needed including multicenter studies to establish national DRL and optimize the radiation dose nationwide.