☢️ CT Dose: DLP → Effective Dose
Convert the DLP from a CT dose report into effective dose: pick region and age, then E = DLP × k. For dose communication and QA. Instant, browser-side.
E = DLP × k (region/age dependent).
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When to use
Quickly estimate effective dose (mSv) when reading CT dose reports, doing protocol QA, or communicating with patients.
How it works
E(mSv) = DLP(mGy·cm) × k. Adult k: head 0.0021, neck 0.0059, head-neck 0.0031, chest 0.014, abdomen/pelvis 0.015. Pediatric k rises as age falls (e.g. head: newborn ≈0.011, 1y ≈0.0067, 5y ≈0.0040, 10y ≈0.0032).
Key points
- E = DLP × k (region/age dependent).
- Adult: head 0.0021, chest 0.014, abdomen-pelvis 0.015 mSv·mGy⁻¹·cm⁻¹.
- Younger age → larger k (newborn head ≈ 5× adult).
- Population approximation; does not reflect individual body size or equal personal risk.
- For individualized dose use SSDE or organ-dose methods.
References
Worked calculation
The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.
| DLP (mGy·cm, from dose report) | 500 |
|---|---|
| Scan region | Head |
| Age group | Adult |
→Estimated effective dose1.05mSv
- Calculation：E = DLP 500 × k 0.0021 = 1.05 mSv
- k-factor：Head · Adult: 0.0021 mSv·mGy⁻¹·cm⁻¹
- Context：Natural background ≈ 3 mSv/yr; adult head CT ≈ 2, chest ≈ 5–7, abdomen-pelvis ≈ 8–10 mSv (protocol-dependent).
| DLP (mGy·cm, from dose report) | 500 |
|---|---|
| Scan region | Chest-abdomen-pelvis (CAP) |
| Age group | Newborn |
→Estimated effective dose24.50mSv
- Calculation：E = DLP 500 × k 0.049 = 24.50 mSv
- k-factor：CAP · Newborn: 0.049 mSv·mGy⁻¹·cm⁻¹
- Context：Natural background ≈ 3 mSv/yr; adult head CT ≈ 2, chest ≈ 5–7, abdomen-pelvis ≈ 8–10 mSv (protocol-dependent).
Frequently asked questions
- What is CT Dose: DLP → Effective Dose?
- Convert the DLP from a CT dose report into effective dose: pick region and age, then E = DLP × k. For dose communication and QA. Instant, browser-side.
- How is CT Dose: DLP → Effective Dose calculated? What is the core formula?
- E(mSv) = DLP(mGy·cm) × k. Adult k: head 0.0021, neck 0.0059, head-neck 0.0031, chest 0.014, abdomen/pelvis 0.015. Pediatric k rises as age falls (e.g. head: newborn ≈0.011, 1y ≈0.0067, 5y ≈0.0040, 10y ≈0.0032).
- When is CT Dose: DLP → Effective Dose used?
- Quickly estimate effective dose (mSv) when reading CT dose reports, doing protocol QA, or communicating with patients.
- What are the key clinical points for CT Dose: DLP → Effective Dose?
- E = DLP × k (region/age dependent). Adult: head 0.0021, chest 0.014, abdomen-pelvis 0.015 mSv·mGy⁻¹·cm⁻¹. Younger age → larger k (newborn head ≈ 5× adult). Population approximation; does not reflect individual body size or equal personal risk. For individualized dose use SSDE or organ-dose methods.
- What are the limits and cautions when using CT Dose: DLP → Effective Dose?
- For licensed clinicians and clinical researchers. Interpret results with history, investigations and local protocols; not a diagnosis or prescription, and not a substitute for multidisciplinary decision-making or local guidelines.
- How is CT Dose: DLP → Effective Dose calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
- Inputs: DLP (mGy·cm, from dose report) 500, Scan region Head, Age group Adult → Result: Estimated effective dose 1.05 mSv（Calculation: E = DLP 500 × k 0.0021 = 1.05 mSv, k-factor: Head · Adult: 0.0021 mSv·mGy⁻¹·cm⁻¹, Context: Natural background ≈ 3 mSv/yr; adult head CT ≈ 2, chest ≈ 5–7, abdomen-pelvis ≈ 8–10 mSv (protocol-dependent).） Inputs: DLP (mGy·cm, from dose report) 500, Scan region Chest-abdomen-pelvis (CAP), Age group Newborn → Result: Estimated effective dose 24.50 mSv（Calculation: E = DLP 500 × k 0.049 = 24.50 mSv, k-factor: CAP · Newborn: 0.049 mSv·mGy⁻¹·cm⁻¹, Context: Natural background ≈ 3 mSv/yr; adult head CT ≈ 2, chest ≈ 5–7, abdomen-pelvis ≈ 8–10 mSv (protocol-dependent).）