Optimizing CT Radiation Exposure: A Comparative Study of CTDI and DLP in Head and Thorax Imaging

Computed Tomography (CT) is widely used in diagnostic medicine due to its speed and clarity, though it exposes patients to radiation. This study aimed to assess and compare the CTDI and DLP values in CT Head and CT Thorax scans using a Siemens 128-slice CT scanner at NIMS Hospital. A total of 200 adult patients were studied—100 for each scan type. The average CTDI and DLP for CT Head were found to be 56.93 mGy and 1113.84 mGy·cm respectively, while for CT Thorax, they were significantly lower at 8.44 mGy and 334.52 mGy·cm. The values were compared to national and international Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs), indicating that while CT Head values approached upper limits in some cases, they remained within global standards. CT Thorax values were consistently lower than both regional and global DRLs, reflecting effective dose optimization. These findings suggest that protocols for thoracic imaging at the center are well optimized, whereas CT Head protocols may benefit from further refinement. Overall, the study highlights the importance of continuous review of CT radiation exposure to ensure patient safety without compromising diagnostic quality.