Measurement of Computed Tomography Dose Indices at a Clinic in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

Background: Computed tomography (CT) is widely used for diagnostic imaging because of its ability to provide detailed anatomical information. However, CT examinations involve exposure to ionizing radiation, making dose optimization and routine quality control essential for patient safety. In Côte d’Ivoire, the increasing use of CT scanners highlights the need to assess the accuracy of displayed radiation-dose indices and to support the implementation of appropriate quality-control procedures under local clinical conditions. Aims: This work contributes to the implementation of quality control for computed tomography (CT) scanners used in Côte d’Ivoire. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at RIMCA clinic in Koumassy, Abidjan, over a period of two weeks. Methodology: Using a 16-slice multi-detector-row CT scanner, an ionization chamber, a DOSE-1 electrometer, and a PMMA phantom, the computed tomography dose indices for a 100 mm ionization chamber (CTDI100) were measured for head and body phantom exposures. The weighted CT dose indices (CTDIw), as well as the differences between the measured volume CT dose indices (CTDIvol) and dose-length products (DLP) and their respective displayed values, were then calculated. Results: For the head phantom exposure, the percentage differences in CTDIvol and DLP were 0.02% and 10.24% at 80 kVp and 6.48% and 3.41% at 120 kVp, respectively. For the body phantom exposure, the corresponding differences were 0.46% and 9.15% at 100 kVp and 3.14% and 13.68% at 120 kVp. Conclusion: The percentage differences obtained were less than 20%, and most were below 10%. International organizations such as the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) recommend a percentage difference of less than 20%, and ideally less than 10%. Therefore, the results obtained complied with this recommendation. Thus, the CT scanner employed was of high quality in terms of CTDI accuracy.