Pediatric vs adult dosimetry in CBCT: a challenge?

Concern about the radiation dose to children from diagnostic radiology examinations has recently been popularly expressed, particularly as related Computed Tomography (CT) procedures. This involves the idea that children can receive higher doses compared to adults. Since the dosimetric quantities are essentially defined for adult patients, if related to effective dose, it becomes important to study and derive methods applicable also to pediatric cases. In fact, the “commonly” statement implies that size, shape, and data for pediatric organs will be derived from adult ones, numerically reducing dosimetric problems to the definition of scaling algorithms. The aim of this study is to analyze the differences in pediatric vs adult dosimetry, starting from measured organ doses in Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) procedures for maxilla-facial region. Two different anthropomorphic phantoms (child vs adult phantoms) were scanned, acquiring all data: results will be presented in terms of organ and derived doses, discussing the approach and differences.