Radiation dose from MDCT using Monte Carlo simulations: Estimating fetal dose due to pulmonary embolism scans accounting for overscan

E. Angel, C. Wellnitz, M. Goodsitt, J. DeMarco, C. Cagnon, M. Ghatali, D. Cody, D. Stevens, C. McCollough, A. Primak, M. McNitt-Gray

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Pregnant women with shortness of breath are increasingly referred for CT Angiography to rale out Pulmonary Embolism (PE). While this exam is typically focused on the lungs, extending scan boundaries and overscan can add to the irradiated volume and have implications on fetal dose. The purpose of this work was to estimate radiation dose to the fetus when various levels of overscan were encountered. Two voxelized models of pregnant patients derived from actual patient anatomy were created based on image data. The models represent an early (< 7 weeks) and late term pregnancy (36 weeks). A previously validated Monte Carlo model of an MDCT scanner was used that takes into account physical details of the scanner. Simulated helical scans used 120 kVp, 4×5 mm beam collimation, pitch 1, and varying beam-off locations (edge of the irradiated volume) were used to represent different protocols plus overscan. Normalized dose (mGy/100mAs) was calculated for each fetus. For the early term and the late term pregnancy models, fetal dose estimates for a standard thoracic PE exam were estimated to be 0.05 and 0.3 mGy/lOOmAs, respectively, increasing to 9 mGy/l00mAs when the beam-off location was extended to encompass the fetus. When performing PE exams to rale out PE in pregnant patients, the beam-off location may have a large effect on fetal dose, especially for late term pregnancies. Careful consideration of ending location of the x-ray beam - and not the end of image data - could result in significant reduction in radiation dose to the fetus.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationMedical Imaging 2007
Subtitle of host publicationPhysics of Medical Imaging
EditionPART 2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2007
EventMedical Imaging 2007: Physics of Medical Imaging - San Diego, CA, United States
Duration: Feb 18 2007Feb 22 2007

Publication series

NameProgress in Biomedical Optics and Imaging - Proceedings of SPIE
NumberPART 2
Volume6510
ISSN (Print)1605-7422

Other

OtherMedical Imaging 2007: Physics of Medical Imaging
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego, CA
Period2/18/072/22/07

Keywords

  • CT
  • Monte Carlo
  • Pregnancy
  • Pulmonary embolism
  • Radiation dose
  • Thoracic CT

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Biomaterials
  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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