Patient Radiation Risks during CT Brain procedure in Moroccan hospitals

Abstract

Computed Tomography (CT) of Brain is a diagnostic device used to create detailed pictures of the skull, brain, paranasal sinuses, and eye sockets; however, patients are exposed to great radiation doses and the likelihood of a cancer occurrence and other biological effects is increased. The objectives of this study were to measure the patient radiation dose during a brain CT procedure and to assess the radiation dose and biological effects.The study was conducted in six radiology departments equipped with various CT machines calibrated according to international protocols. A total of 180 patients underwent brain examinations. The effective radiation dose, cancer and biological risks were estimated using the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) conversion factors.The effective dose for Brain CT procedure in Moroccan hospital varied between (0,80± 0,12) and (5,47± 1,51) mSv with an average value of (2,96± 0,67) mSv. The cancer risk per Brain procedure ranged between 44 and 301 with an average value of 163 per 1 million procedures. The hereditary risk per Brain procedure ranged between 2 and 11 with an average value of 6 per 1 million procedures. The effective dose and risk factors for brain CT scan examination are higher than the national averages for one third of our hospitals.The cancer and hereditary risks are significant during multiple image acquisition. The study revealed that 66% of the procedures with normal findings. However, staff should optimize the radiation dose during Brain procedures.