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Description
Computed tomography (CT) is the primary source of ionizing radiation exposure to the general population and contributes approximately 75% of the total collective dose from medical radiological examinations. Patients receive higher radiation doses during contrast-enhanced CT procedures, such as angiography, compared with routine CT scans. The objective of this study was to estimate organ-specific and effective radiation doses during lower extremity CT angiography. A total of 111 patients (61.3% male and 38.7% female) underwent contrast-enhanced CT angiography. All examinations were performed using a 160-slice CT scanner at AMC Medical Center. The mean patient age (years) was 57.0 ± 20 (18–80). Patient radiation exposure was assessed using the volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) and dose–length product (DLP), with mean values of 7.0 ± 2.0 (3.0–17.0) mGy and 3710 ± 125 (280–8370) mGy·cm, respectively. The mean effective dose per lower extremity CT angiography examination was 25 (1.70–50.0) mSv. The estimated average cancer risk was approximately one additional cancer incidence per 1,000 procedures. Patient doses in this study were higher than those reported in most previously published studies. Therefore, dose optimization strategies, including gonadal shielding when the primary beam is within 5 cm of the gonads, are strongly recommended. Reducing patient radiation dose remains a primary concern to minimize the probability of radiation-induced risks.