PEDIATRIC VERSUS ADULT DOSIMETRY: A CHALLANGE?

Concern about the radiation dose to children from diagnostic radiology examinations has recently been popularly expressed, particularly related to Computed Tomography (CT) procedures. The common belief is that children receive higher doses compared to adults since the optimization of the procedure settings for different anatomies are not always implemented (i.e., FOV, kV and mA not optimized for children). Since the dosimetric quantities related to effective dose are essentially defined for adults, it becomes important to study and propose methods applicable also to pediatric cases. In current clinical and radiological practice, sizes, shapes, and data for pediatric organs are commonly derived from adult ones, but these statements do not reduce dosimetric problems at 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 maxillofacial 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 approaches and differences.