Tomografia computorizada

: análise e optimização das práticas na realização de exames em adultos e pediátricos : análise do nível de adequação às recomendações internacionais

Abstract

Computed Tomography (CT) is an imaging modality with increasing diagnostic use, having undergone major technological developments in the last two decades. In the last decade, in Portugal, there was an annual increase in the number of CT scanners installed and in the number of exams performed. Despite the increased use, the CT represents the main source of medical radiation on effective dose to the population and is the main contributer to the increased risk of exposure to medical radiation, particularly in pediatric patients, because they are considered ten times more radiosensitive than adults. The optimization of the protocols used and the definition of local Reference Dose Levels should be applied locally according to the principles of radiological protection and in agreement with the national legal framework. In this way, this work focused on the characterization of local practices of CT examinations in adults and pediatric patients and analyzed the level of compliance with the recommendations of the European Commission. Dose descriptors – Computed Tomography Dose Index (CTDIvol), Dose Length Product (DLP) and effective dose – were analyzed for brain CT, sinuses CT, petrous bone CT, chest CT, abdominal CT, abdominal and pelvic CT and chest, abdominal and pelvic CT. We concluded that there is some inadequacy of standard protocols, regarding European recommendations, on brain CT, sinuses CT and petrous bone CT. In pediatric cases it was concluded the urgency of creating specific pediatric protocols, because DLP values registered were much higher than those recommended by the European Commission for the adult population. These remarks, particularly in pediatric cases, highlight the need to optimize procedures, and to build of specific protocols for the pediatric population. It is hoped that the results and conclusions of this study contribute to the improvement of local practices, embedded in the issue of radiation protection, and conduct to the definition of local optimized Reference Dose Levels.

Date of Award	13 Nov 2014
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Ana Luísa Vieira (Supervisor)