Establishing Local Diagnostic Reference Levels (LDRL) for Brain and PNS CT Scans at Zayed Military Hospital, Abu Dhabi

Abstract

Computed Tomography (CT) is a vital diagnostic tool in modern medicine, offering detailed imaging but also contributing significantly to patient radiation exposure, necessitating careful dose management. Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs) are benchmarks designed to optimize radiation doses while maintaining diagnostic quality. The study establishes local diagnostic reference levels (LDRLs) for adult patients having brain and paranasal sinus (PNS) CT scans at Zayed Military Hospital (ZMH) in Abu Dhabi. Data collected from June to December 2023 included 30 brain CT scans and 30 paranasal sinus (PNS) scans. The median values result for head CT were CTDIvol = 37.43 mGy and DLP = 611.28 mGy .cm; for sinus CT, CTDIvol = 1.8 mGy and DLP = 25.3 mGy.cm. These criteria align with the Initial UAE Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) and international standards, contributing to improved radiation dose management while maintaining diagnostic quality.