Computer algorithm estimates CT foetal dose
Researchers from Switzerland have developed computer models to estimate the radiation dose to foetuses of pregnant women undergoing CT. The ramifications include better decision-making for doctors and patients, according to the study team.
A research team led by Habib Zaidi, head of the PET instrumentation and neuroimaging laboratory at the department of Medical Imaging and Information Sciences at Geneva University Hospital, created a computer model of a typical pregnant patient based on previous research. The researchers then estimated the maternal absorbed dose and foetal organ radiation dose for 30 pregnant patients referred for abdominal CT scans at their institution. They determined the foetal dose normalized to the CT dose index volume (CTDIvol) varied between 0.85 mGy and 16.3 mGy.
Full story can be found on Medical Physics Web.
