Foetal dose in novel full body cone beam computed tomography device

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate foetal doses at different stages of pregnancy in sinus and cervical spine imaging protocols using a novel supine cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) device.

Method

Foetal doses were measured at three different stages of the pregnancy in sinus and spine imaging protocols using an anthropomorphic phantom and a solid-state dosimeter.

Results

The foetal doses varied between 0.4 and 3.9 µGy and 2.2 and 32.6 µGy, in sinus and cervical spine examinations, respectively, being highest in the third trimester of pregnancy. A conversion factor for calculating the estimate of the foetus dose from kerma area product (KAP) varies between 0.0002–0.007 μGy/mGy cm².

Conclusions

Foetal doses for sinus and cervical spine examinations in a supine CBCT device are low and do not produce a concern about radiation detriment to the foetus.