Evaluation of Patient radiation exposure from brain PET/CT protocol at a PET/CT center in Almana hospital

Hybrid imaging technology, specifically Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT), is an effective diagnostic tool for identifying primary and metastatic cancers. Patients and staff may experience significant exposure during the procedure. Therefore, the emphasis on radiation protection and the crucial role of safety assessments cannot be overstated. These assessments are not just a formality but a necessary step for adherence to international guidelines, ensuring the safety and well-being of all involved. This study assesses patient exposure during diagnosis and quantifies radiation risk estimates. Seventeen patients were evaluated using the brain PET-CT protocol. The estimated patient exposure was calculated based on the measured radioactivity and the dose linked to the combined CT in the Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (GE PET/CT VCT) device. The mean administered activity (AA) for Brain PET-CT was 321.03 ± 51.49 mCi, with a range of 222–436.6 mCi. The effective dose was 6.094 ± 0.98 mSv, ranging from 4.21 to 8.29 mSv. The mean and range of DLP and CTDIvol (mGy) for the CT procedure were 1053.01 ± 384.32 (191.17–1845.92) and 10.05 ± 4.34 (7.37–25.86), respectively. The current radiation doses given to patients are slightly greater than those reported in previous studies. CT constitutes 58 % of the patient's effective dose. Therefore, optimizing exposure parameters and using the lowest possible dose of ¹⁸F-FDG will reduce the practical dose value.