A narrative review on the reduction of effective dose to a paediatric patient by using different combinations of kVp, mAs and additional filtration whilst maintaining image quality

• Main Author: Bloomfield, Charlotte
• Publication Date: 2015
• Other Authors: Boavida, Filipa, Chabloz, Diane, Crausaz, Emilie, Huizinga, Elsbeth, Hustveit, Hanne, Knight, Heidi, Pereira, Ana, Harsaker, Vanja, Schaake, Wouter, Visser, Ruurd
• Language: eng
• Source: Repositórios Científicos de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (RCAAP)
• Download full: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.21/5031
• topic: Radioterapia; Paediatric patients; Dose reduction; Pelvis; Additional filters; Low kVp, mAs; Computer tomography

This paper reviews the literature for lowering of dose to paediatric patients through use of exposure factors and additional filtration. Dose reference levels set by The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) will be considered. Guidance was put in place in 1996 requires updating to come into line with modern imaging equipment. There is a wide range of literature that specifies that grids should not be used on paediatric patients. Although much of the literature advocates additional filtration, contrasting views on the relative benefits of using aluminium or copper filtration, and their effects on dose reduction and image quality can vary. Changing kVp and mAs has an effect on the dose to the patient and image quality. Collimation protects adjacent structures whilst reducing scattered radiation.