Comparison of Radiation Dose Between Low-Dose Postoperative and Standard-Dose Preoperative Abdominal Computed Tomography in Living Liver Donors

Abstract

Objectives: Although contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography is frequently used to detect possible postoperative complications in living liver donors, radiation exposure remains a major concern. For this reason, we used low-dose postoperative computed tomography scans. We compared radiation doses of low-dose postoperative computed tomography with those of standard-dose preoperative computed tomography in living liver donors. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 80 living liver donors (median age of 28.0 years; 40 male participants) who underwent standard-dose preoperative and low-dose postoperative abdominal computed tomography scans between 2023 and 2024. Scanning parameters of tube voltage peak, effective tube current, and rotation time were, respectively, 100 kVp, 200 mA & centerdot;s, and 0.5 s for preoperative computed tomography and 100 kVp, 40 mA & centerdot;s, and 0.5 s for low-dose postoperative computed tomography. We compared radiation doses, including dose length product and effective dose, for preoperative versus postoperative portal venous phase abdominal computed tomography scans with paired Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. We assessed correlations between the radiation dose and body mass index with the Spearman correlation coefficient. Results: The median dose length product and effective dose with low-dose postoperative computed tomography were significantly lower than with standard-dose preoperative computed tomography (72.6 vs 371.0 mGy & centerdot;cm and 1.1 vs 5.6 mSv, respectively; all P < .001). The dose length product and effective dose of preoperative and postoperative computed tomography scans showed very strong positive correlations with body mass index (rho = 0.919 and 0.909, respectively; all P < .001). In all subgroups based on body mass index, the median dose length product and effective dose of postoperative computed tomography were significantly lower versus preoperative computed tomography (all P < .001). Conclusions: Low-dose postoperative computed tomography scans can significantly reduce radiation dose in living liver donors.