Typical computed tomography values in two institutions in the Western Venezuela

Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the radiation dose in computed tomography (CT) by estimating the effective dose (E) and the size-specific dose estimate (SSDE) per patient, in two health institutions in the western region of Venezuela. Methods: A prospective descriptive study was carried out over 4 months, with a sample of 234 adult patients undergoing abdominal and chest examinations. The CT scan parameters, the doses delivered by the scanner, and the physical dimensions of the patient were collected manually. A comparison was made between the CT dose index (CTDIvol) delivered by the scanner equipment and the SSDE. Results: The medians of CTDIvol, dose-length product, and E are, in most cases, within the range of international reference values. The effective diameter varied between 18.0 and 35.0 cm. The median CTDIvol and SSDE obtained for abdominal examinations in the imaging unit with tomography practice 1 (IUT1) are within the range of the reported diagnostic reference levels, while in unit 2 (IUT2) these levels are exceeded. In chest examinations, both institutions exceed reference levels. Conclusion: The doses delivered to patients vary in each institution, mainly due to the use of different protocols established on different CT scanners.