Adult Computed Tomography examinations in Uganda: Towards determining the National Diagnostic Reference Levels

• DOI: 10.1186/s12880-022-00838-x
• Publication Date: 2022-06-11T16:11:46Z
• Authors: Geoffrey Erem; Faith Ameda; Caroline Otike; William Olwit; Aloysius G. Mubuuke; Cyril Schandorf; Akisophel Kisolo; Michael G. Kawooya
• Keywords: Adult; Dose Length Product; Diagnostic Reference Level; Research; Volume-weighted Computed Tomography Dose Index; Middle Aged; Radiation Dosage; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; Computed Tomography; Cross-Sectional Studies; 0302 clinical medicine; Reference Values; Medical technology; Diagnostic Reference Levels; Humans; Uganda; R855-855.5; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Retrospective Studies

Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs), typically set at the 75th percentile of dose distribution from surveys conducted across a broad user base using specified dose-measurement protocol, are recommended for radiological examinations. There is need to develop and implement DRLs as standardisation optimisation tool protection patients Computed Tomography (CT) facilities.This was retrospective cross-sectional study in seven (7) different CT scan facilities which participants were recruited by systematic random sampling. The variables length product (DLP) volume-weighted CTDI (CTDIvol) radiation doses head, chest, abdomen lumbar spine CTDIvol DLP obtained calculating 3rd quartiles per site anatomical region. national diagnostic reference levels determined computation centile median values.A total 574 examined with an average age 47.1 years. For estimates; there strong positive significant relationship between examination mAs (rs = 0.9017, p-value < 0.001), 0.0.7708, 0.001). moderate relationships 0.6812, 0.5493, follows; head - 56.02 mGy 1260.3 mGy.cm; Chest CT, volume 7.82 377.0 12.54 1418.3 mGy.cm 19.48 843 mGy.cm, respectively.This confirmed optimize parameters order lower DRLs. This can be achieved extensive training all radiographers on optimizing acquisition parameters. Continuous audits also advised new equipment or after every three years ensure that values out range either justified further investigated.