Towards the establishment of national diagnostic reference levels in Tunisia: a multicentre survey in paediatric CT.

This work focuses on the determination of the radiation doses for a total sample of 916 children, categorised into four age groups (<1, 1-5, <5-10, <10-15 years) undergoing the most frequent paediatric CT scans performed in different scan facilities in Tunisia in order to establish the national diagnostic reference levels (DRLs). Dose evaluation concerned the dosimetric indicators: volume computed tomography dose index (CTDIvol)and dose-length product (DLP). The different paediatric CT protocols and practices were also evaluated. The results show a large variation in doses between different radiology departments. For head scans, the respective DRLs for children aged <1, 1-5, 5-10 and 10-15 years were 26, 38, 51 and 51 mGy, respectively, for CTDIvoland 384, 664, 873 and 978 mGy cm, respectively, for DLP. For the chest, the equivalent respective DRLs were 8, 10, 12 and 15 mGy for CTDIvoland 118, 330, 442 and 526 mGy cm for DLP. For the abdomen, the respective DRLs were 9, 13, 19 and 18 mGy for CTDIvoland 353, 485, 592 and 1073 mGy cm for DLP. This study shows that the optimisation of paediatric CT procedures should be a priority, especially within regional hospitals. The implementation of corrective actions will take place after the initial DRLs. These actions, including recommendations and guidelines to good practice, should be a joint effort of all stakeholders, including health authorities, the radiation protection regulator, professional societies and universities.

PEDIATRIC HEAD CT EXPOSURE DOSES IN TUNISIA: A PILOT STUDY TOWARDS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL DIAGNOSTIC REFERENCE LEVELS.

The purpose of this study was to assess and analyze the radiation doses during head pediatric CT from different CT units within six Tunisian hospitals representing different geographic regions in order to optimize the dose given and minimize the radiology risk to this category of patients and towards the derivation of national diagnostic reference levels. Patient data and exposure parameters were collected for four age groups (<1, 1-5, 5-10 and 10-15 y). Clinical protocols and exposure settings were analyzed. Doses were collected in terms of CTDIvol and DLP values. Effective and Organ doses to specific radiosensitive organs were estimated using the Monte Carlo simulation software 'Impact CTDosimetry'. Results showed large variations in CT protocols and doses between different radiology departments. CTDIvol and DLP values demonstrated a broad range between the CT units and between the axial and helical scan techniques in the same unit. CTDI vol values were estimated to be 24.9, 31.7, 45.5 and 47.8 mGy for <1, 1-5, 5-10 and 10-15 y age groups, respectively. In term of DLP, median values were ~346, 528, 824, 897 mGy cm for the same age groups, respectively. Effective dose ranged from 1.4 to 5 mSv. Dose values were comparable with those reported in the literature. The study shows an evident need for continuous training of staff in radiation protection concepts, especially within the regional hospitals, emphasizes the importance of the production and the update of recommendations and good practice guidelines using interdisciplinary working groups and opens the way for the establishment of national DRLs.