Prospective study compares size-specific dose estimates and organ radiation doses across head CT scanners in adults, highlighting the need for scanner-specific protocol optimization.
The Size-Specific Dose Estimate (SSDE) and organ doses in adult head computed tomography (CT) imaging using GE Revolution Evo 128-slice and Siemens Somoton Emotion 16-slice CT scanners are compared in this study. A prospective analysis was conducted on 102 adult head CT scans obtained with GE Revolution EVO 128-slice and Siemens Somatom Emotion 16-slice scanners, with and without contrast. SSDE was computed manually from the mid slice of the scans according to AAPM TG-293 and compared with SSDE values obtained by using NCICT software. The paired statistical t-test analysis, used to compare the SSDE computed from mid-slice and effective dosage values was compared with estimates derived from NCICT. To comprehend dose distribution patterns, organ doses to radiosensitive organs such as the brain, eye lens, salivary glands, thyroid and pituitary gland were also evaluated. The mean value of SSDE for contrast enhanced and non contrast head CT on GE Revolution Evo 128-slice was 355.14 and 119.19 mGy respectively. The less SSDE values for contrast enhanced (179.84 mGy) and non contrast (59.44 mGy) head CT were observed on Siemen’s Somoton Emotion 16-slice. The dose escalation observed on contrast-enhanced images, most likely due to increased attenuation. The paired sample t-test indicates that SSDE and effective dose values obtained mid slice manual calculation exhibit varying degrees of agreement. The mean SSDE values (mean: 119.19 mGy) for mid slice and NCICT estimates (mean: 123.1 mGy) differed statistically significantly at 95% level of significance (p<0.05). According to NCICT-based organ dose estimates, distant organs such as the thyroid received relatively lower radiation doses, whereas the brain, eye lenses and salivary glands experienced the highest radiation load. In summary, organ dose assessment using sophisticated computational models is more biologically relevant, but SSDE provides a more patient-specific estimate of radiation exposure than classic CT dose measures. The results highlight the significance of patient-centered dosimetry and scanner-specific protocol optimization to improve radiation safety in head CT imaging.
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Garg et al. (2026) studied this question.
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