加速器机载kV锥形束CT有效剂量的分析

目的 分析医用直线加速器机载kV锥形束CT扫描过程中患者的有效剂量随扫描条件的变化.方法 用PTW TM30009电离室分别在T40017头模和T40016躯干模体中,改变XVI锥形柬CT的管电压、毫安秒、准直器以及机架旋转范围等参数测量加权CT剂鼍指数,计算相应的剂量长度乘积和有效剂量.结果 kV锥形束CT的加权剂量指数和有效剂量随管电压呈二次方变化,随毫安秒线性变化,与准直器以及机架旋转范围密切相关.临床常用条件下,kV锥形束CT单次扫描的剂最长度乘积和有效剂量低于参考剂量水平.结论 锥形束CT扫描过程中患者接受的有效剂量与扫描条件密切相关.锥形束CT扫描时,应该根据患者的解剖部位合理选择成像参数,最大限度减少患者接受剂量.     

加速器机载kV锥形束CT有效剂量的分析

目的 分析医用直线加速器机载kV锥形束CT扫描过程中患者的有效剂量随扫描条件的变化。方法 用PTW TM30009电离室分别在T40017头模和T40016躯干模体中,改变XVI锥形束CT的管电压、毫安秒、准直器以及机架旋转范围等参数测量加权CT剂量指数,计算相应的剂量长度乘积和有效剂量。结果 kV锥形束CT的加权剂量指数和有效剂量随管电压呈二次方变化,随毫安秒线性变化,与准直器以及机架旋转范围密切相关。临床常用条件下,kV锥形束CT单次扫描的剂量长度乘积和有效剂量低于参考剂量水平。结论 锥形束CT扫描过程中患者接受的有效剂量与扫描条件密切相关。锥形束CT扫描时,应该根据患者的解剖部位合理选择成像参数,最大限度减少患者接受剂量。     

Hi-ART螺旋断层放疗机MV螺旋CT剂量指数的测量

目的 探讨Hi-ART螺旋断层放疗机MV扇形束CT图像获取过程中患者接受的剂量。方法 用PTWTM30009CT电离室分别在T40017头部和T40016躯干模体中,选择扫描层厚2、4及6mm和改变扫描范围等参数,分别测量加权CT剂量指数,计算相应的剂量长度乘积,并与XVIkV锥形束CT、ACQSim模拟定位CT的结果进行比较。结果 Hi-ART螺旋断层治疗机的CT剂量指数与层厚成反比,剂量长度乘积与扫描范围成正比。临床应用条件下Hi-ART的CT剂量指数在头颈部比XVIkV锥形束CT大,但躯干较小。结论 CT剂量指数能反映患者成像过程中接受的剂量,可以作为治疗保证与控制的指标。图像引导过程中应该合理选择层厚,减少扫描范围,最大限度减少患者接受剂量。     

多层螺旋CT肺部低剂量与常规剂量检查的放射剂量评估

目的比较多层螺旋CT肺部低剂量与常规剂量检查的X线辐射剂量,为低剂量多层螺旋CT普查早期肺癌提供剂量参数. 资料与方法肺部低剂量与常规剂量多层螺旋CT扫描共54例.其中,低剂量扫描24例,扫描参数为:120 kV,20 mAs,准直器4×5 mm,重建层厚8 mm,床速30 mm/周,螺距为7,扫描时间0.5 s/周;常规剂量扫描30例,扫描参数为:120 kV,90 mAs,准直器4×5 mm,重建层厚8 mm,床速30 mm/周,螺距为7,扫描时间0.5 s/周.观察并计算两种扫描剂量的权重CT剂量指数(CTDIw),有效mAs,总mAs,剂量长度乘积(DLP)及有效辐射剂量. 结果肺部低剂量扫描的CTDIw为1.38 mGy,是常规剂量扫描(6.21 mGy)的22.2%;低剂量扫描的DLP为44 mGy*cm,明显低于常规剂量扫描的189 mGy*cm(P＜0.01);低剂量扫描的总mAs为459,是常规剂量扫描(1 308)的35.1%;低剂量扫描的X线最大有效辐射剂量为0.9 mSv,明显低于常规剂量扫描的4.2 mSv(P＜0.01). 结论多层螺旋CT肺部低剂量扫描(20 mAs)的有效辐射剂量为常规剂量扫描的21.4%,适用于高危人群普查早期肺癌.     

肺部低剂量螺旋CT扫描的放射剂量评估

目的 :评价肺部低剂量与常规剂量螺旋CT扫描的X线放射剂量比 ,为低剂量螺旋CT普查早期肺癌提供扫描参数。方法 :将 80例的健康者自愿随机等分成 2组 ,40例行肺部低剂量螺旋CT扫描 ;40例行常规剂量螺旋CT扫描 ;扫描范围从肺尖至肺底。从CT扫描序列设定栏上 ,分别记录 2种扫描方式的权重CT剂量指数 (CTDIw )、扫描长度、总扫描时间 ;最后计算出 2种扫描方法的平均剂量长度乘积 (DLP)、毫安秒及X线放射剂量。结果 :肺部低剂量扫描的权重剂量指数为 2 .9mGY ,是常规剂量扫描 ( 11.7mGY)的 2 5 % ;低剂量扫描的剂量长度乘积 (DLP)为 63 .4mGY·cm明显低于常规剂量扫描 2 48mGY·cm(P <0 .0 0 1) ;低剂量扫描的毫安秒为 915mAs ,明显低于常规剂量扫描 3 5 2 1mAs(P <0 .0 0 1) ;低剂量扫描的放射剂量为 70 .8mGY ,是常规剂量扫描 ( 2 74.7mGY)的 2 6%。讨论 :肺低剂量螺旋CT扫描的放射剂量是常规剂量扫描的 2 6% ,适用于肺癌高危人群的早期普查。     

XVI锥形束CT辐射剂量与扫描参数相关性建模

目的 定量研究不同扫描参数组合导致的医科达XVI锥形束CT辐射剂量变化,为评估影像引导放疗中成像剂量的参数依赖性提供数学模型。方法 基于Versa HD加速器XVI,利用PTW 30 009千伏电离室和UNIDOS webline静电计,在PTW标准CT剂量指数（CTDI）体部模体中,测量标准扫描参数及多种扫描电压（kVp）、管电流（mA）组合下的模体内各点比释动能,并计算加权CTDI_w。利用SigmaPlot 10.0软件将测量结果拟合为以管电流和/或扫描电压为变量的模型。结果 标准扫描参数下,瓦里安OBI锥形束CT的CTDI_w值仅为医科达XVI的11.23%（胸部参数）和9.15%（盆腔参数）。在标准及其余4个扫描电压条件下,模体中心和外周各点比释动能与管电流均呈现线性正比关系,但斜率a值差异较大（0.479~6.679）,主要受扫描电压值、模体测量位置、剂量描述方法等因素影响。模体内各点剂量和CTDI_w值均可拟合为以扫描电压为变量的非线性经验公式（R²>0.997）,各系数差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。同时改变管电流和扫描电压对模体中心点剂量的影响可以表述为mGy=（5.917-0.197×kVp+0.002×kVp²-5.063×10^-6×kVp³）×mA。结论 医科达XVI锥形束CT剂量显著依赖于扫描参数,数学模型可用于快速准确描述其变化特征。     

双源CT不同扫描方式在肺动脉成像临床应用

目的 比较第一代与Flash双源CT不同扫描方式在肺动脉成像时剂量与图像质量.方法 收集120例临床疑诊为PE患者,按扫描方式随机分为4组：A组行第一代双源CT双能量扫描（80/140kV）,B组行flash双源CT双能量扫描（80/sn140kV）,C组行flash双源CT双能量扫描（100/sn140kV）,D组行flash双源CT双能量扫描（140/80kV）.比较4组间的CT容积剂量指数（CT dose volume index,CTDIvol）、剂量长度乘积（dose length product,DLP）、背景噪声和肺动脉信噪比.结果 各组间患者一般情况没有明显统计学差异.B组的CTDIvol,DLP值明显低于A、C两组,图像质量明显好于D组.结论 flash双源CT（80/sn140kV）在获得满意的图像质量的同时可以减低辐射剂量.     

低管电压联合顺适性低剂量容积双空间迭代重建技术在头颈部CT血管成像中的应用

目的 探讨低管电压联合顺适性低剂量容积双空间迭代重建技术（AIDR 3D）在头颈部CT血管成像（CTA）中对图像质量、辐射剂量及穿支动脉显示的影响,以期获得最佳扫描方案。资料与方法 回顾性纳入2020年10月—2022年1月于上海市公共卫生临床中心行头颈部CTA检查的90例患者,根据不同扫描条件分为3组,每组30例。A组扫描参数为120 kV和300 mA,B组扫描参数为100 kV,自动毫安,C组扫描参数为80 kV,自动毫安,3组均采用AIDR 3D算法进行数据重建,测量3组图像的肌肉和动脉CT强化值、噪声标准差（SD）、信噪比（SNR）、对比噪声比（CNR）、CT容积剂量指数（CTDIvol）、剂量长度乘积（DLP）、辐射有效剂量（ED）。将获得数据进行后处理,获取多方位血管图像,对图像质量进行主观评分,并观察甲状腺上动脉穿支血管显示情况。对比3组图像在图像质量（图像质量主观评分、SNR、CNR、SD）、辐射剂量（CTDIvol、DLP、ED）及穿支动脉显示方面的差异。结果 3组在C4、C7椎体水平图像评分均≥3分,C7椎体水平图像主观评分为4分者B组最多（93.3%）,A组次之...     

管电压对CT值测量、辐射剂量及图像质量影响的模型研究

目的 探讨降低管电流和管电压对CT值的影响,及其辐射剂量降低对图像质量的影响程度.方法 配置不同浓度对比剂样本共113个,在15种不同扫描条件下进行CT扫描.测量和记录CT值及标准差,分析改变管电流和管电压对CT值测量的影响,并计算对应关系.记录CT容积剂量指数(CTDIvol),计算15种扫描条件下的辐射剂量.不同管电压和管电流下CT值差异比较采用方差分析和Kruskal-Wallis秩和检验,不同管电压下CT值对应关系及管电压和管电流对辐射剂量和图像质量的影响程度分析采用相关性分析.结果 管电压固定时不同管电流间(250、200、150、100和50 mA)的CT值差异均无统计学意义(F值分别为0.001、0.008、0.075,P均＞0.05).管电流固定时,不同管电压间(120、100和80 kV)的CT值差异均具有统计学意义(H值分别为17.906、17.906、13.527、20.124、23.563,P均＜0.05).计算不同管电压下同一样本CT值的对应关系:CT值100 kV=1.561×CT值120kV+4.0818,CT值80kV=1.2131 ×CT值120 kV+0.9283.分析不同管电压下辐射剂量对图像噪声的影响程度,并确立相关性方程:N120kv=-5.9771Ln(D120kV)+25.412,N100kv=-10.544Ln(D100 kV)+36.262,N80 kv=-25.326Ln(D80 kv)+62.816.计算噪声值关键点,证明根据所需图像噪声值(11.2和13.9),可以指导扫描条件,在一定条件下应用低管电压,高管电流可以降低辐射剂量.结论 管电压对CT值测量有影响,根据所需图像噪声值调整扫描条件,在一定条件下应用低管电压,高管电流可以降低辐射剂量.改变管电压后造成的CT值变化,可依据不同管电压下CT值对应关系进行校准.     

Z轴自动管电流调制技术在头颈部CT扫描血管成像中对甲状腺剂量的降低

目的 评价在进行头颈部CT扫描血管成像时,Z轴自动管电流调制技术(ATCM)对减少甲状腺的辐射剂量的作用及对图像噪声的影响。方法 回顾性地分析140例头颈部CT增强血管成像的病例,其中用固定管电流技术和 Z 轴自动管电流调节技术各70例,观察其成像质量,记录其客观噪声水平(由CT图像衰减值的标准差进行评估),并比较其单次扫描的加权CT剂量指数CTDI_w,管电流mA及剂量长度乘积DLP。结果 在扫描范围、扫描参数(管电压、螺距、准直器厚度等)、造影剂注射速率和注射部位完全相同的情况下,固定管电流技术和 Z 轴自动管电流调节技术的图像质量相同,甲状腺图像噪声分别为10.14和13.64 HU。单次扫描的加权CT剂量指数CTDI_w(mGy)分别为(43.22±1.42)和(35.99±1.31) mGy。剂量长度乘积分别为(1514.45±5.56)和(1121.39±5.51)mGy·cm, 剂量长度乘积降低约25.95%。结论 Z 轴自动管电流调节技术能有效降低总曝光量和累计剂量长度乘积,可以有效地降低患者的辐射剂量,特别是像甲状腺和眼晶体等射线敏感组织器官的辐射剂量降低,减少其辐射危害,但是图像噪声略有增加。     

64层螺旋CT低剂量扫描检测肺小结节敏感性的实验研究

目的 探讨64层螺旋CT胸部低剂量扫描对大小、密度不同肺小结节的检测敏感性及最优扫描参数. 方法 制作3组不同密度(软组织密度、较低密度、磨玻璃密度)、直径13～2.5 mm的人工肺结节,置于组织等效胸部模型中,使用Philips Brilliance 64层CT机以常规剂量(管电压120 kV,管电流250 mAs)和低剂量(管电压120 kV,管电流50、30 mAs和21 mAs)分别扫描.测量、记录剂量指标(CTDIw和DLP)、模型各部位CT值、CT值标准差,评估各组结节的可见度. 结果 64层螺旋CT采用低剂量扫描(21～50 mAs)的辐射剂量为常规剂量(250 mAs)的8%～20%.不同扫描剂量条件下模型各部位CT值差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);而CT值标准差差异有统计学意义(P<0.001)且随电流降低而增加.各组结节中仅2.5 mm和4 mm磨玻璃密度(-600 HU左右)结节在管电流21 mAs扫描时出现不可见情况. 结论 64层螺旋CT实验条件下30 mAs低剂量扫描最小直径2.5 mm磨玻璃密度结节,是最优扫描参数.     

不同CT扫描条件对胸部模体实性结节人工智能检出效率及辐射剂量的影响

目的探讨不同CT扫描条件下人工智能(AI)系统对胸部模体内实性结节检出效率与辐射剂量的影响。方法于仿真胸部拟人模体内各肺叶和肺段均匀放置不同CT值和直径的60颗不同形态的仿真结节。应用GE Revolution evo CT对胸部模体进行扫描, 通过调节管电压80、100、120和140 kV, 噪声指数(NI 10～40, 间隔2), 其他参数固定, 采集64组不同参数图像。在AI软件上记录仿真结节检出情况并计算检出率与误检率, 不同形态结节分别计算;记录每次扫描平均容积CT剂量指数(CTDIvol)、剂量长度乘积(DLP)。结果不同管电压对类球形结节和不规则结节的检出率、误检率差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);不同噪声指数对类球形结节和不规则结节的检出率、误检率差异均存在统计学意义(F=10.57、17.77、9.33, P<0.001)。不同管电压对CTDIvol、DLP差异无统计学意义(P>0.05), 不同噪声指数对CTDIvol、DLP差异具有统计学意义(F=59.87、60.92, P<0.001)。结节的检出率与噪声指数、CTDIvol、DLP...     

儿童肺部CT曝光参数及其辐射剂量的比较分析

目的优化儿童肺部CT曝光参数，减少其辐射危害。方法对疑有肺部病变的儿童及青少年210例，降低曝光量行肺部CT扫描，以肺部支气管分叉层面的胸廓前后径和横径线长的平均值为依据，以儿童常规曝光量的70％为起始扫描剂量，逐次减少曝光量10mAs，观察其成像质量，直至图像质量良好，符合诊断的要求，并分析其曝光量mAs和单次扫描的CT剂量加权指数CTDIW及剂量长度乘积DLP。结果与儿童常规肺部曝光量200mAs相比，不同肺部发育的个体，其肺部CT曝光量可降低到其常规曝光量的45％～80％，单次扫描的CT剂量加权指数CTDIW及剂量长度乘积DLP均可降至27．45％～80％。结论根据儿童胸部个体发育差异，适当地降低曝光量，可以有效地降低其辐射剂量，减少其辐射危害。     

低剂量CT扫描在新生儿缺氧缺血性脑病中的应用和防护价值

目的 探讨多层螺旋CT低剂量扫描在新生儿缺氧缺血性脑病（HIE）中的应用和防护价值.方法 前瞻性选取临床拟诊HIE 60例,随机等分成两组.扫描参数：管电压120 kV,层厚、层间距6 mm,管电流常规剂量组250 mAs、低剂量组50 mAs行全颅脑扫描.对比两种剂量扫描产生的加权CT剂量指数（CTDIw）、全头颅扫描剂量长度乘积（DLP）;图像噪声的比较采用模拟儿童头颅的水模扫描,计算并比较两种剂量下的CT值均数与标准差;盲式评判两组扫描剂量的图像质量.结果 ①低剂量扫描组的mAs、CTDIw和DLP仅为常规剂量组的20%;②低剂量组水模噪声较常规剂量组大,两者差异有统计学意义（t=34.533,P＜0.01）.③低剂量组图像质量以较好为主,较常规剂量组稍差,但未出现差级图像,不影响HIE诊断.结论 低剂量CT扫描在HIE诊断中的应用是完全可行的,既能明确诊断又能有效地保护新生儿,符合医用辐射防护最优化原则.     

Practical patient dosimetry for partial rotation cone beam CT

Objectives

This work investigates the validity of estimating effective dose for cone beam CT (CBCT) exposures from the weighted CT dose index (CTDIW) and irradiated length.

Methods

Measurements were made within cylindrical poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) phantoms measuring 14 cm and 28 cm in length and 32 cm in diameter for the 200° DynaCT acquisition on the Siemens Artis zee fluoroscopy unit (Siemens Medical Solutions, Erlangen, Germany). An interpolated average dose was calculated to account for the partial rotation. Organ and effective doses were estimated by modelling projections in the Monte Carlo software programme PCXMC (STUK, Helsinki, Finland).

Results

The CTDIW was found to closely approximate the interpolated average dose if the positions of the measured doses reflected the X-ray beam rotation. The average dose was found to increase by 8% when the phantom length was increased from 14 to 28 cm. Using the interpolated average dose and the irradiated length for effective dose calculations gave similar values to PCXMC when a double-length (28-cm) CT dose index phantom was irradiated. Simplifying the estimation of effective dose with PCXMC by modelling just 4 projections around the abdomen gave effective doses that were only 7% different to those given when 41 projections were modelled. Calculated doses to key organs within the beam varied by as much as 27%.

Conclusion

Estimating effective dose from the CTDIW and the irradiated length is sufficiently accurate for CBCT if the chamber positions are considered carefully. A conversion factor can be used only if a single CT dose index phantom is available. The estimation of organ doses requires a large number of modelled projections in PCXMC.Using CT in conjunction with a fluoroscopic interventional procedure can provide enhanced anatomical information and greater soft tissue differentiation. The flat panel detectors used widely on fluoroscopy suites and developments in reconstruction algorithms now mean that CT-like images can be obtained by a cone beam CT (CBCT) system fully integrated within a fluoroscopy unit.As this technology becomes widespread, it is essential to have a measure of the dose to a patient from this type of exposure. For fan beam CT, organ and effective doses may be estimated by measuring the CT dose index (CTDI) in air, and applying a series of scanner-specific conversion factors for the portion of the body irradiated. These factors were calculated by the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) [1] using Monte Carlo techniques for an anthropomorphic phantom, based on that of Cristy [2].A convenient method of applying the NRPB conversion factors is provided by the ImPACT Dosimetry Spreadsheet (ImPACT, London, UK). In addition to the CT scanners originally surveyed by the NRPB, this spreadsheet has matched newer scanners to appropriate factors by matching the ratio of CTDI measured in air and within a poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) phantom. This matching can be done for any scanner and this approach has been used by Sawyer et al [3] for a CBCT system that rotates 360° around a patient. There are, however, no conversion factors for scanners which perform a partial rotation around the patient.An alternative method for calculating an approximate effective dose from a CT scan is given in the European Guidelines for Multislice Computed Tomography [4]. This uses weighted CTDI (CTDI_W) and the irradiated scan length. CTDI_W is a weighted average of doses measured at the centre and periphery of a PMMA phantom and is indicative of the average dose within an irradiated slice. For helical scanners, CTDI_W is divided by pitch to give CTDI_vol and multiplied by the irradiated length to give the dose–length product (DLP). Effective dose may be estimated from the DLP by applying one of six normalised effective dose per DLP values (E_D) for different body regions.The calculation for CTDI_W is designed for X-ray tubes that perform a 360° rotation and may not be indicative of the average dose within a slice for a partial tube rotation. In addition, CTDI values are conventionally measured with a pencil dosemeter under the assumption that the collimated X-ray beam and its penumbra are contained within the length of the dosemeter. As this is not the case for CBCT systems, there have been discussions regarding the appropriateness of using CTDI for CBCT dose measurements [5,6].Recent work has suggested that dose measurements will be more accurate if a point chamber is used instead of a pencil chamber [7], or if a long pencil chamber (250 mm) is used to capture the entire dose profile [8]. Integrated dose profiles have been compared with measured values of CTDI [3,5,6,8,9] and all authors agree that it is necessary to have an appropriate length of scattering material to contain the full penumbra of the X-ray beam.For CBCT, an alternative approach for dose calculation is a method commonly used for radiographic and fluoroscopic exposures. The Monte Carlo modelling software PCXMC (STUK, Helsinki, Finland) [10] simulates an X-ray beam by projecting it onto a modified version of the Cristy anthropomorphic mathematical phantom. This gives both organ and effective doses and has recently been used by Wielandts et al [11] for CBCT. Because the beam spectrum and geometry of each exposure is simulated individually, this technique offers a greater degree of accuracy than those developed for conventional CT. However, CBCT is made up of a large number of projections, so this is potentially a time-consuming procedure.The aim of this study was to determine appropriate methods of estimating organ and effective doses from a partial rotation CBCT acquisition using tools which are readily available. Three methods of determining the average dose within a partially irradiated slice were compared: two using the empirical CTDI_W equation and one using an interpolated average dose calculation. Doses were measured for three different configurations of PMMA phantom and beam width. From this, correction factors were calculated to convert the dose measured in a single PMMA phantom to the dose measured in a longer phantom, and to convert the dose from a thin beam width to the dose from a wide beam width. Effective dose calculations from PCXMC and interpolated average dose measurements were compared, and the number of projections necessary to model the CBCT exposure in PCXMC is considered here in relation to the effect on effective and organ doses.     

儿童CT检查中扫描参数的优化

目的 了解儿童CT检查扫描条件选择及其所致辐射剂量的相关性,以期通过适当调节mAs、扫描长度等参数,降低儿童CT检查患者受照剂量。方法 比较江苏省7家医院不同年龄组（<1岁、1~5岁、6~10岁和11~15岁）儿童头颅、胸部、腹部多排螺旋CT检查主要扫描参数的差异。选用相同的检查参数在TM160剂量模体上测量CTDI₁₀₀,计算DLP,并通过经验加权因子,估算出不同部位检查的有效剂量（E）。对mAs、扫描长度和DLP进行多元线性回归分析,比较两家典型医院由于选择扫描条件不同所导致的剂量差异。结果 儿童头颅、胸部、腹部CT检查所致患者的有效剂量均值分别为2.46、5.69、11.86 mSv,各部位检查DLP与mAs、扫描长度均呈正相关（r=0.81、0.81、0.92,P<0.05）。较高的mAs选择,致使本研究各年龄组儿童胸腹部CT检查有效剂量是德国Galanski等研究的1.2~3.0倍;B医院各年龄组腹部检查选择了较高的扫描长度,以致其所致有效剂量均高于本研究均值。结论 建议通过合理优化儿童不同部位CT检查mAs、扫描长度等扫描参数,降低受检者所受辐射风险。     

Effective dose determination using an anthropomorphic phantom and metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor technology for clinical adult body multidetector array computed tomography protocols

PURPOSE: To determine the organ doses and total body effective dose (ED) delivered to an anthropomorphic phantom by multidetector array computed tomography (MDCT) when using standard clinical adult body imaging protocols. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) technology was applied during the scanning of a female anthropomorphic phantom to determine 20 organ doses delivered during clinical body computed tomography (CT) imaging protocols. A 16-row MDCT scanner (LightSpeed, General Electric Healthcare, Milwaukee, Wis) was used. Effective dose was calculated as the sum of organ doses multiplied by a weighting factor determinant found in the International Commission on Radiological Protection Publication 60. Volume CT dose index and dose length product (DLP) values were recorded at the same time for the same scan. RESULTS: Effective dose (mSv) for body MDCT imaging protocols were as follows: standard chest CT, 6.80 +/- 0.6; pulmonary embolus CT, 13.7 +/- 0.4; gated coronary CT angiography, 20.6 +/- 0.4; standard abdomen and pelvic CT, 13.3 + 1.0; renal stone CT, 4.51 + 0.45. Effective dose calculated by direct organ measurements in the phantom was 14% to 37% greater than those determined by the DLP method. CONCLUSIONS: Effective dose calculated by the DLP method underestimates ED as compared with direct organ measurements for the same CT examination. Organ doses and total body ED are higher than previously reported for MDCT clinical body imaging protocols.