Estimation of organ dose from common CT examinations in Jordan: A retrospective analysis

Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to estimate organ and effective radiation doses associated with common computed tomography (CT) examinations performed in Jordan.

Method

A retrospective analysis was conducted on the parameters of the CT scan of the brain, chest, and abdomen collected from multiple hospitals in northern Jordan. Organ and effective doses were calculated based on scan parameters including mAs, scan length, and scanner type. Paired-sample t-tests were performed to evaluate differences in organ doses between male and female patients.

Results

The mean effective dose was 2.35 mSv for brain CT (range: 1.74–3.08 mSv), 17.62 mSv for chest CT (range: 5.44–22.25 mSv), and 4.93 mSv for abdomen CT (range: 3.38–7.07 mSv). Average organ doses were 14.20 mGy to the brain, 24.51 mGy to the lung, 22.34 mGy to the female breast, 10.88 mGy to the stomach, 11.54 mGy to the colon, and 16.40 mGy to the liver. The highest single-organ doses were recorded for the lung (50.81 mGy, male patients), breast (46.30 mGy, female patients), and liver (23.16 mGy, female patients). Statistically significant sex-based differences were observed, with male patients receiving higher doses in brain and lung scans, while females received higher doses in abdominal organs.

Conclusion

The study highlights substantial dose variability across protocols and scanners and emphasizes the need for standardized CT practices, wider adoption of advanced scanner technology, and sex-specific optimization strategies to minimize unnecessary radiation exposure.