Article

Exposure of children with neuroblastoma to ionizing radiation during computed tomography and nuclear medicine imaging – a single centre experience

¹ Department of Nuclear Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University, Unii Lubelskiej 1, 71-252 Szczecin, Poland
² Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Pomeranian Medical University, Unii Lubelskiej 1, 71-252 Szczecin, Poland
³ Department of Paediatrics and Paediatric Oncology, Pomeranian Medical University, Unii Lubelskiej 1, 71-252 Szczecin, Poland

^* Corresponding author: hanna.piwowarska.bilska@gmail.com; hanna.piwowarska@pum.edu.pl

Received: 16 August 2018
Accepted: 5 June 2019

Abstract

Purpose: To calculate cumulative doses of ionizing radiation absorbed by children with neuroblastoma during diagnostic CT and NM scans. Method: Retrospective analysis of 267 CT and NM scans performed in 21 children treated in 2009–2015. Results: The cumulative effective dose absorbed per child ranged from 58 to 536 mSv and was highest in infants under 3 years. Conclusion: Children with suspected neuroblastoma may be exposed to significant doses of radiation during the whole period of diagnosis and monitoring the progress of treatment.