Implications of Patient Miscentering on CT Scan Radiation DoseDistribution and Safety: Phantom Study

Abstract This task highlights the significance of precise patient placement to reduce radiation exposure and maximize diagnostic quality by examining the effects of patient mis-centering on the volumetric computed tomography dose index (CTDIvol) and organ doses during CT scans. Using a CTDI phantom from Sun-Nuclear and an ionization chamber (Radcal, model 10X6-3CT), the research simulated miscentering by shifting the phantom in both vertical and lateral directions. Dose measurements were performed on Philips, FUJIFILM, and Hitachi CT-Scans, maintaining consistent settings. (CTDIvol) and dose ratios at various phantom positions were calculated to assess miscentering effects. The findings demonstrated that (CTDIvol) and peripheral area doses were highly impacted by vertical and lateral miscentering, with vertical miscentering producing dose changes of up to 35% and lateral miscentering lowering (CTDIvol) by as much as 15%. These results emphasize the critical need for proper patient centering in CT scans to ensure accurate dose estimation and reduce radiation exposure.