Korean J Radiol.
2025 Jan;26(1):65-74. 10.3348/kjr.2024.0689.
Establishment of Local Diagnostic Reference Levels for Pediatric Neck CT at Nine University Hospitals in South Korea
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Radiology, Ajou University Hospital, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
- 2Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- 3Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- 4Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- 5Department of Radiology, Research Institute for Convergence of Biomedical Science and Technology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, College of Medicine, Yangsan, Republic of Korea
- 6Department of Radiology, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
- 7Department of Radiology, Kyungpook National University Hospital, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
- 8Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
- 9Department of Radiology, Chungnam National University Hospital, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- 10Department of Radiology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- 11College of IT Engineering, Hansung University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- KMID: 2563379
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/kjr.2024.0689
Abstract
Objective
To establish local diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for pediatric neck CT based on age, weight, and water-equivalent diameter (WED) across multiple university hospitals in South Korea.
Materials and Methods
This retrospective study analyzed pediatric neck CT examinations from nine university hospitals, involving patients aged 0–18 years. Data were categorized by age, weight, and WED, and radiation dose metrics, including volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) and dose length product, were recorded. Data retrieval and analysis were conducted using a commercially available dose-management system (Radimetrics, Bayer Healthcare). Local DRLs were established following the International Commission on Radiological Protection guidelines, using the 75th percentile as the reference value.
Results
A total of 1159 CT examinations were analyzed, including 169 scans from Institution 1, 132 from Institution 2, 126 from Institution 3, 129 from Institution 4, 128 from Institution 5, 105 from Institution 6, 162 from Institution 7, 127 from Institution 8, and 81 from Institution 9. Radiation dose metrics increased with age, weight, and WED, showing significant variability both within and across institutions. For patients weighing less than 10 kg, the DRL for CTDIvol was 5.2 mGy. In the 10–19 kg group, the DRL was 5.8 mGy; in the 20–39 kg group, 7.6 mGy; in the 40–59 kg group, 11.0 mGy; and for patients weighing 60 kg or more, 16.2 mGy. DRLs for CTDIvol by age groups were as follows: 5.3 mGy for infants under 1 year, 5.7 mGy for children aged 1–4 years, 7.6 mGy for ages 5–9 years, 11.2 mGy for ages 10–14 years, and 15.6 mGy for patients 15 years or older.
Conclusion
Local DRLs for pediatric neck CT were established based on age, weight, and WED across nine university hospitals in South Korea.
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