Assessment Of The Effect On Radiation Dose Of CT Abdomen According To The Gender And Patient Weight

Abstract

Background: Computed Tomography (CT) is an essential diagnostic technique, particularly for imaging of the abdomen. CT radiation exposure is still a worry, though, especially when it comes to patient-specific factors like gender and body weight.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess how patient gender and body weight affected the radiation dose parameters, Dose Length Product (DLP) and Computed Tomography Dose Index volume (CTDIvol), in abdominal CT scans.

Materials and Methods: A Philips Ingenuity Core 128-slice machine was used to do abdominal CT scans on 100 individuals, 50 of whom were male and 50 of whom were female. Three categories were created for the patients depending on their body weight: 50–60 kg, 61–70 kg, and >70 kg. SPSS v26 was used for the collection and analysis of radiation dose data (CTDIvol and DLP). Dose values were compared among weight groups using a one-way ANOVA, and comparisons between genders were conducted using independent samples t-tests.

Results: CTDIvol (p = 0.281) and DLP (p = 0.117) did not differ statistically significantly between weight categories. Comparing genders also showed no discernible changes in DLP (p = 0.169) or CTDIvol (p = 0.122). Although the mean CTDIvol was marginally greater in female patients, these differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusion: The study found no significant impact of body weight or gender on radiation dose in abdominal CT imaging. However, the observed trends suggest a need for continued research with larger, more stratified samples. Emphasis on individualized scanning protocols remains essential for optimizing diagnostic quality while minimizing radiation risk.