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BACKGROUND: Computed Tomography (CT) of the abdomen is one of the most frequently performed scans in adults for various abdominal pathologies. Its popularity stems from the immediate image reconstruction following acquisition. However, CT scans are known for their high radiation doses compared to other diagnostic X-ray procedures. This study aimed to analyze the effective dose in patients with varying body habitus during multidetector CT of the abdomen using automatic exposure control. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted in the Department of Radiodiagnosis and Imaging from February 2017 to March 2018. Patients aged 18 and older, regardless of gender, undergoing routine Contrast-Enhanced CT (CECT) of the abdomen were included. Participants were categorized into three groups based on Body Mass Index (BMI): normal weight, overweight, and obese. RESULTS: A total of 168 patients were enrolled, with a mean age of 49.8 ± 15.6 years, predominantly male (66.1%). Obese individuals exhibited significantly higher effective dose values (16.57 ± 2.27 mSv) compared to normal weight (9.45 ± 0.92 mSv) and overweight individuals (11.88 ± 0.77 mSv) (p < 0.01). Similarly, obese patients had significantly higher values for Computed Tomography Dose Index Volume (CTDIvol) (18.32 ± 2.54 mGy) and Dose Length Product (DLP) (1104.86 ± 151.84 mGycm) compared to normal weight (CTDIvol: 11.38 ± 1.24 mGy; DLP: 630.55 ± 61.57 mGycm) and overweight individuals (CTDIvol: 13.56 ± 1.15 mGy; DLP: 792.37 ± 51.56 mGy*cm) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The effective dose received by obese patients during abdominal CT exams with Automatic Exposure Control (AEC) is nearly double that of normal-weight patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Globally prostate cancer is one of the most prevalent cancer among men and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in a developing country, which is mainly due to lack of knowledge and awareness regarding the screening of prostate cancer. The main objective of this review and metaanalysis is to evaluate the knowledge, awareness and practice of adult men about prostate cancer. METHOD: An extensive literature search was performed on studies published between January 2000 to 2021. The systematic review initially yielded 137 studies, out of which 7 studies were covered on this meta-evaluation. RESULT: We noted that the pooled estimate of knowledge and awareness were respectively 65% [CI: 29%, 100%], and 74% [CI: 66%, 82%] about prostate cancer. However, there were limited practices noted in screening of prostate cancer. CONCLUSION: In order to increase the awareness and screening practice rate for prostate cancer, an improved health education is highly recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Radiation exposure during the CT examination has always been a concern due to its associated cancer risk. The guidelines suggest the optimization of radiation dose reduction. Therefore, this study aims to determine the feasibility of dose reduction strategies on radiation dose reduction using a phantom. Methods: Head and body phantoms of 16 cm and 32 cm, respectively, were used to calculate the radiation dose and measure the quantitative image quality. The phantoms were positioned and scanned with the standard protocol and low dose protocol. For dose reduction strategies, scan length was reduced in head phantom, and tube voltage and tube current were manipulated individually and by combining both and tested in both head and body phantoms. Also, the influence of rotation time was investigated in body phantom. Quantitative image quality was determined by drawing a region of interest on the obtained image. Results: Reducing scan length showed 41% reduction of radiation dose and reducing tube current, and tube voltage showed up to 75% reduction of radiation dose in head phantom and 70% reduction of radiation dose in body phantom compared to the standard protocol. The reduction of the rotation time, however, reduced the scan time and the radiation dose but the maximum mAs or tube current allowed was limited. Quantitative image quality was reduced when using a lower dose protocol. Conclusion: The dose reduction strategies showed a reduced dose, but the quantitative image quality score was reduced when scanned with low dose protocol. Further manipulation can be performed to maintain image quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: With the advancement in Imaging Technology, 3D Dental Computed tomography plays a very significant role in orthodontic treatment and diagnosing. Aim: To evaluate the dental crowding in relation to the mesiodistal crown widths and arch dimensions and also to determine the differences of dental crowding among male and female in Southern Indian population. Materials and Methods: A total of 132 subjects, divided into 33 males and 33 females in crowded and non-crowded group comprising of 66 each, aged between 15 and 35 years, referred for computed tomography scan of brain to the radiology department, were selected. During the scan both the jaws were included in the image. The 2D images converted to 3D image using volume rendering software. By using measurement tool individual and collective mesiodistal crown widths of canine, first and second premolar and first molar and arch perimeter of both the maxillary and mandibular jaws were measured. Results: When both the gender were considered the mesiodistal crown widths and arch perimeter were statistically significant for dental crowding in both mandibular jaw (p-value 0.001 for both mesiodistal crown width and arch perimeter) and maxillary jaw (p-value 0.016 for mesiodistal crown width and 0.002 for arch perimeter). When analysed separately, male revealed that the mesiodistal crown widths and arch perimeter were statistically significant for dental crowding in both mandibular jaw (p-value 0.001 for mesiodistal crown width and 0.002 for arch perimeter) and maxillary jaw (p-value 0.002 for mesiodistal crown width and 0.001 for arch perimeter) but in female it was not statistically significant in any jaw (p-value 0.7 for mesiodistal crown width and 0.06 for arch perimeter in mandibular jaw and p-value 0.2 for mesiodistal crown width and 0.9 for arch perimeter for maxillary jaw). The crowded group has larger tooth size and smaller arch perimeter. Conclusion: This study concluded that in males the factors mesiodistal crown width and arch dimensions contributes to dental crowding and the crowded dentition has larger mesiodistal tooth size and smaller arch dimensions whereas in female both the factors are not responsible for crowding in Southern Indian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/background: In CT, iodinated contrast media is used to enhance the visibility of internal structures and vessels during radiographic imaging. Non-ionic contrast medias are hyperosmolar to blood and they are only suitable for normal creatinine level patients and it is contraindicated in high creatinin level patients. Hence a new iodinated non-ionic contrast agent iodixanol was introduced which is iso-osmolar to blood and suitable for both patients high creatinin level and normal creatinine level. Methodology: 200 participants who were referred for CECT Abdomen and pelvis were scanned using 128 slice Brilliance CT. Data was collected only from the participants referred by the physician for CECT abdomen and Thorax. After acquiring all three phases of the scan, attenuation was measured in Porto venous phase.HU was measured by placing a 1cm² circular region of interest (ROI) in the selected anatomical site. Data was analysed using SPSS software version 16.0. Statistical Analysis was done using Independent t-test with level of significance set at 5%. Results: Average HU values were found by placing ROI on abdominal aorta and pulmonary artery for scans done using low osmolar and iso osmolar CM and their differences were correlated. No statistically significant differences were found in HU between low osmolar and iso osmolar CM in pulmonary and abdominal aorta. Conclusion: Low-osmolar and iso-osmolar CM provide a similar and suitable vascular contrast enhancement and are equally good for 3D reconstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]