Patient dose in brain perfusion imaging using an 80-slice CT system

Abstract Background and purpose Brain CT Perfusion (CTP) is an X-ray imaging technique for the assessment of brain tissue perfusion, which can be used in several different entities. The aim of this study is the evaluation of the radiation dose to patients during a comprehensive brain CT prescription protocol (CPP) consisting of an unenhanced brain CT, a brain CT angiography and a CTP scan. Materials and methods Eighteen patients were studied using an 80-slice CT system, with an iterative reconstruction algorithm. The volume Computed Tomography Dose Index (CTDI vol ) and dose length product (DLP) were recorded from the dose report of the system. The calculation of effective dose (ED) was accomplished using the DLP values. Results For the CTP examinations, the CTDI vol ranged from 116.0 to 134.8 mGy, with the mean value 119.5 mGy. The DLP ranged from 463.9 to 539.2 mGy·cm, with the mean value 478 mGy·cm. For the CPP, the total ED ranged from 3.31 to 5.07 mSv, with the mean value 4.37 mSv. Conclusions These values are lower than the values reported in corresponding studies, including studies utilizing CT systems with more slices.