Radiation dose and image quality in adult computed tomography scans

Introduction: The aim of this research is to evaluate the current image quality and radiation dose of images from single and multislice CT (MSCT) scanners in order to identify scanners with both minimum dose and acceptable diagnostic image quality. This is important given the increasing trend in the use of multislice CT. Method: Clinical CT images were collected from twenty one hospitals by random sampling. The image data was retrieved from a total of 3150 patients, from different regions of Jordan, who underwent chest, abdomen and brain scans using four different CT scanners (single, 16, 32 and 64 slice scanners) from four manufacturers (Toshiba, GE, Philips and Siemens). Result: The MSCT scanners consistently recorded a higher dose for abdomen, chest and brain respectively: 16 slice (14.64 mGy, 13.20 mGy and 69.70 mGy), 32 slice (18.44 mGy, 15.53 mGy and 71.31 mGy), and the 64 slice (19 mGy, 16.62 mGy and 79.39 mGy) compared to the single slice scanners (11.77 mGy, 9.36 mGy and 50.04 mGy). However, the image quality is seen to get improved as the number of slices increased: 16 slice (3.632), 32 slice (3.942), and the 64 slice (4.4506) compared to the single slice scanners (2.9). Conclusion: The CT scanners with a higher number of slices delivered better image quality but also higher radiation doses to the patients.