Radiation Dose to the Fetus from Body MDCT During Early Gestation

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Abstract
OBJECTIVE. The purpose of our study was to determine radiation dose to the fetus at early gestation when contemporary MDCT scanners are used for common clinical indications.MATERIALS AND METHODS. Anthropomorphic phantoms were constructed to reflect a pregnant woman. Thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLDs) and metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) detectors were placed in appropriate locations to determine real-time radiation exposure to the fetus at 0 and 3 months' gestation. Imaging was performed on a 16-MDCT scanner using current institutional CT protocols: renal stone (140 kVp, 160 mA, rotation time of 0.5 sec, 16 × 0.625 mm), appendix (140 kVp, 340 mA, rotation time of 0.5 sec, 16 × 0.625 mm), and pulmonary embolus (140 kVp, 380 mA, rotation time of 0.8 sec, 16 × 1.25 mm).RESULTS. The radiation dose to the fetus at 0 and 3 months, respectively, was as follows: renal stone protocol, 0.8–1.2 and 0.4–0.7 cGy; appendix protocol, 1.52–1.68 and 2–4 cGy; and pulmonary embolus protocol, 0.02...