The influence of ODM technique on the radiation dose received by patients during head CT scan

Introduction. Computed tomography (CT) is inexpensive radiological examination of high diagnostic effectiveness. However, common use of CT tests has led to increased exposure to ionizing radiation in the population. Aim. To assess the effect of organ dose modulation (ODM) technique on the radiation dose received by patients during head CT scan. Material and methods. A retrospective analysis of 120 tests in two groups of patients who had CT scans without and with ODM. Every group consisted of 60 people (30 women and 30 men in each). The ability to perform tests in two algorithms (without and with ODM) resulted from the fact that after installing the apparatus, tests were carried out using standard technique, and only then the ODM function was launched. Results. We found that during examinations with ODM, patients received a reduced dose of ionizing radiation. The mean DLP value with ODM is 9.4% lower than the mean DLP value without ODM by comparing the tests with and without contrasting agent. The mean DLP value obtained in men using ODM was 11.9% lower than the mean dose without ODM, and in women this difference was 6.6%. Conclusion. The mean DLP value received by men with ODM was by 11.9% lower than the mean dose without ODM, and in women this difference was 6.6%. Patients receive a lower dose both in tests with and without a contrasting agent compared to the tests where ODM was not used. A statistical significance of the obtained results was found.