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About 70% of all collective doses from medical tests come from computed tomography (CT), the primary public radiation exposure source. Patients received higher doses during contrast-enhanced CT procedures (Angiography) than routine CT procedures. The current research aims to quantify the patients' radiation doses, estimate the cancer risk probability, and establish institutional diagnostic reference level (IDRL) during lower extremity angiography. One hundred eleven patients (61.3% male and 38.7% female) underwent contrast-enhanced CT procedures. A 160-Slice CT scanner was used for image acquisition for all patient populations. IDRL values were quantified based on the 3rd quartile value of the CT dose descriptors. All procedures were carried out at Al-Moaallim Medical City, Khartoum, Sudan. A computer software (CT-Expo, ImPACT) was used to extrapolate the effective dosage per extremity CTA examination was estimated. The mean patient age (years) was 56.1 ± 18 (18–82). The patient's radiation doses was quantified using volume CTDI and dose length product (DLP) to 7.3 ± 2 (2.9–16.8) (mGy) and 3712 ± 126 (279–8374) (mGy.cm), respectively. The average effective doses were 22 mSv (range: 1.7–50) per lower CT angiography for the lower extremity. The proposed IDRL for the VCTA procedure was 3562 mGy cm and 17 mGy for DLP and CTDIvol, respectively. The proposed IDRL is higher than the previously published studies; therefore, patient dose optimization is recommended. • Radiation doses were determined for patients undergoing VCTA procedure. • A 160-Slice CT scanner with iterative reconstruction techniques was used for examining the patients. • The average effective doses were 22 mSv (range: 1.7–50) per VCTA. • The proposed LDRL for the VCTA procedure was 3562 mGy cm and 17 mGy for DLP and CTDIvol, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Radiation exposure due to computed tomography (CT) has become an important issue, as the number of CT examinations has been increasing worldwide. Radiation doses associated with CT are higher in comparison to other imaging procedures. CT-related radiation doses should be monitored and controlled in order to ensure reduction of radiation exposure and optimization of image quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate radiation doses in adult patient who underwent routine CT brain examinations, and to assess how CT scanning protocols affect patient doses in practice. Material/Methods: A total of 118 patients underwent brain CT at two radiology departments equipped with 64-slice CT scanners, Khartoum, Sudan. Patient doses regarding weighted CT dose index (CTDIw) and dose length product (DLP) values were recorded. Quality control tests were performed for both scanners. Results: The mean CTDIw values ranged from 62.9 to 65.8 mGy, DLP values ranged from 1003.7 to 1192.5 mGy, and the effective dose varied from 2.4 to 3.7 mSv. Conclusions: Patient doses in this study was higher compared to previous research, suggesting that patients exposed to unnecessary radiation. Therefore, optimization of radiation doses with the use of specified imaging protocols, well-documented indications for CT, training of technicians, and quality control programs will reduce the necessary radiation doses. Establishment of the diagnostic reference level is recommended for further dose reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiation exposures for medical purposes is remained the main sources to public from manmade radiation. The aims of the study are to patients' radiation doses during specific planar radiography procedures. A total of 247 patients were examined at four radiology department in Khartoum state, Sudan. The absorbed dose to air at the center of the beam, including backscattered radiation, is known as the entrance surface air kerma (ESAK, mGy). ESAK (K e) can be computed using the product backscatter factor (B) and incident air kerma Ki. The mean ESAK (mGy) for the chest, skull, abdomen, hip, lumbar spine and limbs procedures were 0.2, 0.76, 97, 1.88, 1.25, 2.25 and 0.30 mGy, respectively. The average ESAK (mGy) values attained for eight planar radiography procedures are comparable or slightly lesser than the previously published studies for the chest, pelvis, and limbs. The patient doses during the skull, abdomen, hip, and spinal cord (lumbar spine) are lower than the previously published values. • ESAK during eight planar imaging procedures were evaluated. • The radiographic equipment performance in all hospitals was acceptable. • Wide variability in the patients' doses per radiographic was noticed. • Standardized imaging protocols are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to variation among radiographers' practice, and the importance of unifying practice during radiography for optimizing radiation level and image quality, the current manuscript aims to assess the radiation dose level and propose local diagnostic reference levels (LDRL) for posterior-anterior (PA) chest, antero-posterior (AP) abdomen, and pelvis examinations in two hospitals in Khartoum ('K') and one hospital in Wad-Medani ('M') cities, Sudan. Along with patient demographics like height and weight, the radiation exposure parameters including tube potential, current, and radiation duration were documented. This included 732 patients whose tests were conducted at one of three departments located in two different cities. The entrane surface air kerma (ESAK) was calculated using DosCal software and an Unfors -Xi-meter. The average ESAK for an X-ray of the chest was 0.18 mGy in M, 0.19 mGy in K (averaged over two hospitals in the K), for the abdomen it was 1.1 and 1.23 mGy, and for the pelvis it was 1.8 and 01.9 mGy respectively. The proposed DRL was achieved from the third quartile of radiation dosage of data, and it was 0.21, 1.7 and 1.9 mGy for the chest, abdomen and pelvis respectively. There was a wide variation in dosage levels among the three hospitals. The current proposed DRL was lower than most literature for the chest, abdomen and pelvis. More studies are recommended for other examinations such as skull and contrast media studies. • Radiation dose level for chest, abdomen and pelvis was assessed in major hospitals in Sudan. • Average dose for conventional X-ray of chest, abdomen and pelvis was 0.19, 1.2 and 1.9 mGy respectively. • Local diagnostic reference level was suggested for the above examinations. • The Suggested LDRL was lower than available literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]