Background/introduction
Renewal of imaging equipment is one of the necessary tasks for radiology departments in order to be updated in modern radiology practice. Renewal rate and time periods may be changed among imaging equipments. CT technology is ever-changing and radiation dose reduction technologies and facilities are more pronounced in newer CT types of equipments. However, the renewal of CT equipment necessitates a budget that should be spent according to the needs of the department. New CT equipment provides a wide range of facilities including fast acquisition,...
Description of activity and work performed
We compared the radiation dose values of 10 CT protocols of two 16-detector CT scanners in our department. CT scanner A (Somatom Sensation 16 CT Scanner, Siemens) was installed in our department in 2008 while CT scanner B (Optima CT540, GE Healthcare) was installed in 2017. Radiation dose values were compared in terms of DLP (mGy cm) values. A comparison of radiation dose values of these types of equipments was accomplished using a radiation dose monitorization system (GE DoseWatch).
We also recorded CT acquisition parameters...
Conclusion and recommendations
Renewal of CT equipment according to recommendations of international radiology societies is crucial for radiology departments. Implementation of radiation dose reduction techniques should be included in the CT renewal policy. Radiologists should be aware of the hardware and software facilities of new CT equipment installed in their department because CT radiation dose not only results from tube voltage and tube current. Many parameters such as collimation thickness, tube rotation time, iterative reconstruction, etc. have an effect on CT radiation dose.
Personal/organisational information
D. Akata; Ankara/TR - nothing to disclose S. Kavak; Ankara/TR - Employee at GE Healthcare Y. Baytar; Ankara/TR - nothing to disclose E. Settarzade; Ankara/TR - nothing to disclose M. R. Onur; Ankara, ANKARA/TR - nothing to disclose
References
1. European Society of Radiology. Insights into Imaging 2014; 5:5; 543-546.