Journal of Radiation Protection and Research

The Korean Association for Radiation Protection (대한방사선방어학회)
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Analysis of Computed Tomography Scans for Radiation Safety Management in the Republic of Korea

  • Min Young Lee (Department of Nuclear Engineering, Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Ji Woo Kim (Department of Nuclear Engineering, Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Ga Eun Oh (Department of Nuclear Engineering, Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Geon Woo Son (Department of Nuclear Engineering, Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Kwang Pyo Kim (Department of Nuclear Engineering, Kyung Hee University)
  • Received : 2024.05.31
  • Accepted : 2024.08.23
  • Published : 2024.09.30
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Abstract

Background: Computed tomography (CT) scans in the Republic of Korea have spiked, reaching approximately 9 million examinations annually in 2017. CT provides significant medical benefits, but radiation exposure remains a concern. This study aims to analyze CT scans in Korea, as a basis study for radiation safety management. Materials and Methods: The raw data of total CT scans was obtained from the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service and analyzed by CT scan type, patients' age and sex, and medical facility type. CT scans trends were analyzed considering the disease incidence. Results and Discussion: In 2017, CT scans accounted for 8,977,300. Usage per capita was 0.18 in males and 0.17 in females. CT scans increased with age until the 50- to 59-year-old groups, then decreased. CT scans were high in abdominal/pelvic (35%), chest (26%), and head (22%) regions due to higher disease rates. Head CT was most frequently used for infants and children. Abdominal/pelvic, chest, and spine CT were more frequent for older groups. The CT scans in the upper and lower extremities was high in child and juvenile groups. Chest and abdominal/pelvic CTs were higher in males, whereas spine, whole spine, and CT densitometry were higher in females. The proportion of CT scans of tertiary and general hospitals, hospitals, and clinics accounted for ≥80%, 13%, and 5%, respectively. Abdomen/pelvis, chest, and head/neck CTs were mostly conducted in tertiary and general hospitals, spine CT in hospitals and clinics, extremity CT in hospitals, and CT densitometry in clinics. Conclusion: The trend of CT scans varied based on the incidence rate for each patient's sex and age, and serious illness diagnosis by medical facility type. The results of this study provide data and guidance for evaluating the radiation exposure of the Korean population by CT and developing management policies for medical radiation safety.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This research was supported by the Nuclear Safety Research Program through the Korea Foundation of Nuclear Safety (KoFONS) funded by the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) (No. 1803013) and the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP) grant funded by the Korea government (MOTIE) (No. 20214000000070).

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