Dosimetry of the cone beam computed tomography Veraviewepocs 3D compared with the 3D Accuitomo in different fields of view

Abstract

Objectives: This study compares tissue-absorbed and effective doses of the cone beam CT (CBCT) units, the Veraviewepocs 3D and the 3D Accuitomo, in different protocols. Methods: The absorbed organ doses were measured using an anthropomorphic phantom loaded with thermoluminescent dosemeters (TLDs) in 16 sensitive organ sites. Both CBCT units were deployed with different fields of view (FOVs): 3D Accuitomo using two protocols (anterior 464 cm scan and anterior 666 cm scan) and Veraviewepocs 3D using three protocols (anterior 464 cm scan, anterior 864 cm scan and panoramic + anterior 464 cm). Equivalent and effective doses were then calculated, the latter based on the International Commission on Radiological Protection’s (ICRP) 2005 recommendations. Results: The lowest effective dose was observed for the 3D Accuitomo 464 cm (20.02 mSv), the highest for the 3D Accuitomo 666 cm (43.27 mSv). The effective dose recorded for Veraviewepocs 3D was 39.92 mSv for the 864 cm scan, 30.92 mSv for the 464 cm scan and 29.78 mSv for the panoramic + 464 cm scan protocol. Conclusions: The radiation doses delivered by both machines were in comparable ranges when using 464 cm FOV. A smaller FOV should be used for dental images, whereas a larger FOV should be restricted to cases in which a wider view is required.