Kevin Murphy MBBCh, MRCS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Charles Sullivan, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Antionette O'Connor, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Maria Twomey MBChB, FFR(RCSI), Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Niamh Moore, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Mary-Jane Murphy, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Michael Sheehy, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Owen J. O'Connor MBBCh, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Michael M. Maher MD, FRCR, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Capability for automated SSDE measurements with dose-tracking software is a very welcome development and will be an important component of dose management strategies using these techniques.

Accurate dose tracking is essential for CT protocol optimization and audit. Size-specific dose estimate (SSDE) calculation requires a user dependent time-consuming measurement of the anteroposterior (AP) and lateral diameters of the body part being imaged. We assess the accuracy and convenience of an automated SSDE calculation tool via DoseWatch that utilizes the median image of the CT radiograph.

2 readers manually calculated SSDE on 100 thorax (Tx) & 100 abdomen-pelvis (A-P) adult CT exams independently. These results were compared to values calculated by DoseWatch software. There was no significant difference between manual (12.13±3.06mGy) and automated (12.28±2.82mGy) estimations for A-P SSDE values (mean 1%/0.16mGy difference). A small but significant (p<0.01) difference was seen between manual (8.87±2.20mGy) and automated (9.35±2.46mGy) Tx SSDE values (mean 5%/0.48mGy difference). For both Tx and A-P, manual effective diameters were significantly higher (p<0.001) than via automated methods [Tx – 30.31±4.58 V 28.92±4.18cm] [A-P – 29.27±4.41 V 28.69±4.47cm].

A time efficient reproducible automated SSDE calculation tool is essential for accurate dose tracking. This automated tool meets these criteria and is particularly accurate in calculating abdominopelvic doses. CT thorax SSDE calculations were comparable with manual calculations.

Murphy, K, Sullivan, C, O'Connor, A, Twomey, M, Moore, N, Murphy, M, Sheehy, M, O'Connor, O, Maher, M, Accuracy of SSDE Calculation using Radiation Dose Tracking Software.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14045744.html