K. ADAMBOUNOU*,**#, K. AMOUSSOU**, K. KATASSOU**, A.M.Y. ADIGO**, ***, K.D BAKPATINA-BATAKO*, L. SONHAYE**, K. ADJENOU**
*Biophysic and Medical Imaging Departments, Campus Teaching Hospital, University of Lome, Togo
**Radiology Department, Campus Teaching Hospital, University of Lome, Togo
***Radiology Department, North Ardennes Intercommunal Hospital, Charleville-Mezieres, France
The computed tomography (CT) is a fast, non-invasive, accessible, but highly radiating, sectional medical imaging modality. The purpose of this study is to assess the dosimetric values of the pediatric brain CT-scans to establish pediatric CT-scan diagnostic reference level (DRL) in Togo. It was a cross-sectional study carried out from 6 March to 30 July 2016 in all health facilities with a functional computed tomography unit in Togo. The mean age of the 157 children included was 5.3 years with extremes of one day and 14 years. The sex ratio was 1.5. The devices were 6 and 16 detector rows, and more than 9/10 of the pediatric exams were performed in helical mode with a number of scans varying from 1 to 3 depending on the centers. The kilovoltages used in children were almost identical to those used in adults. The average scan length increased with the age of the children from 16.13 to 18.38 cm. For scans without contrast agent, the pediatric cerebral DRL was 626.03 mGy·cm (less than one year), 898.53 mGy·cm (1−4 years), 933 mGy·cm (5−9 years) and 999 mGy·cm (10−14 years). For scans without and with contrast agent, it was 1589.27 mGy·cm (less than one year), 1834 mGy·cm (1−4 years), 1866 mGy·cm (5−9 years) and 1922 mGy·cm (10−14 years). The average effective doses associated with the different types of exams ranged from 1 to 3.28 mSv. There is a high dispersion of dose delivered during pediatric brain CT-scans in Togo requiring a process of homogenization of procedures and dose optimization strategies from thus established DRL.
Key words: Dosimetry, diagnostic reference level, CT-scan, child, Togo
Corresponding author’s e-mail: kadambounou@yahoo.fr