This study seeks to update the radiation exposure recommendations for patients
undergoing computed tomography (CT) examinations in southern Saudi Arabia based on sizespecific
dose estimates (SSDEs) and to evaluate the relationship between CT dose and patient
dimensions as measured from scout and transverse CT images of the chest, abdomen and pelvis.
Patient data were retrospectively collected in the Digital Imaging and Communications in
Medicine format. Then the correlation between radiation dose and patient size was assessed.
The lateral diameter values measured from scout and transverse images in this study vary with
factors ranging from 1.06 to 1.08. As such, scout images are associated with the overestimation
of patient size and consequently the overestimation of SSDE values. In conclusion the
estimation of SSDE values should be performed using transverse images encompassing the
anteroposterior and lateral patient diameters since scout images generally overestimate the
patient size.
Keywords
radiation dose, computed tomography, size-specific dose estimate, Saudi Arabia
MAEJO INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY