Radioprotection 2025, 60( 1), 44 – 49 © H. Khajmi et al., Published by by EDP Sciences, 2025 https:// doi. org / 10.1051 / radiopro / 2024040 Available online at: www. radioprotection. org
ARTICLE
Diagnostic reference levels for adult computed tomography at the University Hospital Center of Marrakech( Morocco)
H. Khajmi 1,*, A. Mounir 1, A. Tounsi 2 and O. Lhouceine 3 1 Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Technics, Marrakech, Morocco. 2 Environmental, Ecological and Agro-Industrial Engineering Laboratory, University Sultan Moulay Sliman, Béni Mellal, Morocco. 3 Sultan Moulay Sliman University, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Department of Physics( LPM), B. P. 523, 23000 Beni-Mellal,
Morocco. Received: 18 June 2024 / Accepted: 20 August 2024 Abstract – In this research, the diagnostic reference level( DRL) for routine computer tomography( CT) exams at the Arrazi Hospital of the Mohammed VI University Hospital Center( Med VI UHC) in Marrakech, Morocco, was established. The DRL for routine CT scans was derived through prospective research. Based on recommendation for computing DRL by various international legal organisations, we took into account the CT Volume Dose Index CTDI vol( mGy) and the Dose-Length Product DLP( mGy. cm) as dosimetric quantities. The statistics calculated of the CTDI vol and DLP 75th percentiles were suggested as DRLs. The DRLs obtained for the head, chest-abdomen-pelvis( CAP), chest, and abdomen were 39 mGy, 8 mGy, 11 mGy, 9 mGy, and 1445 mGy. cm, 825 mGy. cm, 700 mGy. cm, and 788 mGy. cm, respectively. When compared to the published values, the DRLs found in the present search are more elevated.
Keywords: CT / CTDI vol / DLP / DRL
1 Introduction
Medical X-rays are the highest man-made source of radiation exposure for the general population, and they are crucial for the detection and treatment of pathology through X- ray scans( Chougule, 2005). Even though X-ray imaging provides a lot of benefits and is a very important part of healthcare( Hall et al., 2008). Compared to traditional x-rays, computed tomography( CT) has a high radiation dosage that can range from ten to one hundred times higher( Mettler et al., 2008). Similar to all existing diagnostic imaging modalities, the usage of CT for medical diagnosis has significantly expanded since 1972, particularly with the introduction of multidetector CTs( MDCT)( Saravanakumar et al., 2016).
Despite mounting demand to use CT for diagnosis, there is still a paucity of detailed instructions on how to conduct a CT scan while maximizing image quality and exposing the patient to the least amount of radiation( Saravanakumar et al., 2016). Diagnostic reference levels DRLs are a well-known tool for optimizing medical exposures and are used to see the blurred line between excellent or normal practice and practices that induces higher doses to the patient( IPEM, 2004). Additionally,
* Corresponding author: khajmi. hassan @ gmail. com
DRL plays a vital role in promoting good radiological practice in medical imaging( ICRP, 2011).
In accordance with the International Commission on Radiological Protection( ICRP, 2017), DRL is a factor in promoting good radiological practice in medicine. These dose levels are intended for typical examinations for groups of standard-sized patients and do not establish a distinction between“ good” and " bad " medicine. Besides, diagnostic reference levels are critical for dosage optimisation for CT exams. The concepts for establishing DRLs are outlined in the recommendations of the worldwide commission on radiological protection( ICRP, 2007)( Report 103), together with explicit definitions of local, regional, and national goals.
Over the past few years, various studies( Zira et al., 2017; Tsapaki et al., 2021; Paulo et al., 2020; Sutton et al., 2014; Osman et al., 2023; Radaideh et al., 2023) have been carried out to identify DRLs for various CT examinations at both the national and regional levels using a variety of sample sizes. ICRP( 2011) and International Atomic Energy Agency( IAEA, 2016) organisations, declare that diagnostic reference levels( DRLs) are tools for optimizing medical radiation protection in the diagnostic field.
Morocco has a large number of CT scanners for radiology departments in different regions of the country, which contribute to the daily medical imaging of patients. Recently,
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