Body-Mass Index-Based Effective Dose Determination in Commonly Performed Computed Tomography Examinations in Adults

Mohammad Reza  Deevband; Seyyed Mohammad Bagher  Hosseini Nasab; Habib  Mohammadi; Yazdan  Salimi; Ahmad  Mostaar; Niloofar  Deravi; Mobina  Fathi; Kimia  Vakili; Shirin  Yaghoobpoor; Mahdi  Ghorbani

doi:10.18502/fbt.v9i4.10425

Mohammad Reza Deevband Biomedical Engineering and Medical Physics Department, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Seyyed Mohammad Bagher Hosseini Nasab Taleghani Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Habib Mohammadi Biomedical Engineering and Medical Physics Department, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Yazdan Salimi Biomedical Engineering and Medical Physics Department, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Ahmad Mostaar Biomedical Engineering and Medical Physics Department, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Niloofar Deravi School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mobina Fathi School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Kimia Vakili School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Shirin Yaghoobpoor School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mahdi Ghorbani Biomedical Engineering and Medical Physics Department, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/fbt.v9i4.10425

Keywords: Computed Tomography; Body Mass Index; Effective Dose; Size-Specific Dose Estimate.

Abstract

Purpose: With the widespread application of ionizing radiation in medical practice, concerns have been increased regarding the hazardous effects of radiation. Studies have demonstrated that some variables such as body dimensions affect the absorbed radiation dose. In this study, the association between Body Mass Index (BMI) and absorbed dose in Computed Tomography (CT) is investigated.

Materials and Methods: A total of 550 adult patients (age ≥ 15 years) were included in the study. The height and weight of the patients were recorded for BMI calculation. Dosimetry data were acquired from digital imaging and communications in medicine dose reports. The patients were categorized into five groups according to their BMI, the categorized information was then imported into ImPACT Dose software for calculation of Size-Specific Dose Estimate (SSDE) and organ and effective doses. The relationship between patient BMI and the effective dose was also determined.

Results: A higher BMI contributed to increased radiation dose and SSDE in patients who had undergone chest or abdomen-pelvis CT examination (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The radiation dose is related to a patient’s BMI and rises with an increase in BMI. Accordingly, it is suggested that BMI and other variables, such as the type of scan and other body dimensions, which affect the radiation dose, can be used to estimate the radiation dose before performing CT. This estimation can be considered for the justification and optimization of CT examinations.