Article

Assessment of radiation risk associated with whole-body computed tomography at the emergency department

Diagnostic Radiography Technology, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia

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Received: 25 December 2024
Accepted: 7 August 2025

Abstract

Whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) is a standard diagnostic imaging tool used for the urgent evaluation of patients with serious traumatic injuries. However, the use of WBCT for screening patients suspected of having multiple blunt traumas remains controversial due to the excessive radiation exposure involved. This study aimed to estimate effective and organ equivalent doses and evaluate the lifetime attributable risk (LAR) of cancer incidence and mortality resulting from WBCT examinations for trauma patients. Data, including patients’ demographic and exposure parameters, were collected retrospectively from the picture archiving and communication system for 175 traumatic patients. National Cancer Institute CT (NCICT) software was used to calculate the organ doses and effective doses. The age- and sex-specific LAR incidence and mortality for organ doses were calculated via risk models proposed by the BEIR VII report. The overall mean effective radiation dose for trauma patients who underwent WBCT was 20.81 ± 10.78 mSv. Compared with males, females had a greater mean dose (21.95 ± 11.72 mSv) (18.93 ± 8.73 mSv). The organ doses ranged from 1.76–37.69 mGy for females and from 1.26–32.79 mGy for males. Females face higher lifetime cancer risk (incidence 0.70%, mortality 0.40%) than males do (incidence 0.60%, mortality 0.32%). The overall lifetime cancer risk was 0.65% for incidence and 0.36% for mortality. WBCT scanning involves significant radiation exposure and carries a risk of developing cancer. Therefore, the use of WBCT should be clinically justified, and measures should be taken to reduce the radiation dose.