Patient dose evaluation for the whole-body low-dose multidetector CT (WBLDMDCT) skeleton study in multiple myeloma (MM).
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed at estimating the patient effective dose during whole-body low-dose multi detector computed tomography with a scanner Philips Brillance 64, and to compare it with those reported in literature for the same procedure and with the dose of the conventional X-ray examination in our institution.


METHODS
WBLDMDCT effective dose was evaluated for 29 MM patients, using Dose Length Product values. Conventional X-ray examination dose was estimated using a Rando Phantom and Dose Area Product indexes. ICRP Publication 103 based coefficients were used.


RESULTS
Mean WBLDMDCT effective dose values-estimated using sex-specific conversion coefficients and body weight factors-were 3.6 and 2.8 mSv for females and males, respectively. The effective dose for the conventional method was 1.2 mSv for Rando phantom.


CONCLUSIONS
The WBLDMDCT effective dose in our institution is consistent with the values reported in previous studies. Such a dose is about 2.5- to 3-fold higher than the mean radiation dose of the conventional X-ray study. Nevertheless, considering the improved diagnostic accuracy of the CT investigation, the comfort of the patient and the old age of the MM population, dose/quality ratio can be considered favourable.
USC Fisica Sanitaria, Imaging Department, Azienda Ospedaliera Papa Giovanni XXIII, Piazza OMS 1, 24100, Bergamo, Italy. fabiolacretti@gmail.com.
Fabiola
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1814-100X
F
Cretti
USC Radiologia, Imaging Department, Azienda Ospedaliera Papa Giovanni XXIII, Piazza OMS 1, 24100, Bergamo, Italy.
Giovanna
G
Perugini
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography / Q000295:instrumentation; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011829:Radiation Dosage
Computed tomography patient dose; Multiple myeloma (MM); Skeleton X-ray conventional examination; Whole-body low-dose multidetector CT (WBLDMDCT)