CT scan has become a popular tool, widely used in detection, monitoring and guide procedures like biopsy, radiotherapy etc. Simultaneously, this technique yields to high radiation exposure to the patient body along with its beneficial purposes. The Dose Length Product (DLP) of breast cancer patients during Computed Tomography (CT) simulation and normal chest CT scan were measured to calculate patient effective dose. Effective doses from CT simulations of breast cancer patients have been measured. From this data, a radiation risk assessment has been developed between the two tests, CT simulation for therapeutic purpose and Chest CT scan. Forty nine female patients were introduced for CT simulation. Volumetric CT Dose Index (CTDI_vol) was 13.1 mGy using 32 cm phantom as reference. The length of neck, chest and abdomen was 11.29 ± 2.22 cm, 22.15 ± 2.40 cm and 10.43 ± 4.54 cm respectively. From CTDIvol and length the calculated DLP of neck, chest and abdominal region were 136.67 ± 59.45 mGy.cm, 290.22 ± 31.54 mGy.cm and 147.87 ± 29.13 mGy.cm. Effective dose for chest CT and CT simulation of breast cancer patients were as follows: chest CT 4.06 ± 0.44 mSv and CT simulation 7.89 ± 0.86 mSv. For comparative Ttest of effective doses the p-value was<0.001. The results of this study will facilitate establishing Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs) of effective dose due to CT simulation of breast cancer patients and chest CT scan in Bangladesh.

With Regards,
Sara Giselle
Associate Managing Editor
Journal of Medical Physics and Applied Scinces