Study design for establishing diagnostic reference levels and optimization of radiation dose for head and neck and pelvic computed tomography protocols in radiation therapy planning

Aim: To establish Diagnostic Reference Levels and optimization of radiation dose of head and neck and pelvic imaging in pre Radiation therapy planning computed tomography (RTCT). Objective: To establish Diagnostic reference level for Head & Neck CT and Pelvic Computed Tomography in radiation therapy planning and to optimize radiation dose to the cancer patients undergoing Head & Neck and Pelvic Computed Tomography scans. Methodology: This study will be divided into two phases. In phase one, Diagnostic reference Level will be established using standard CT Oncology protocol and arriving optimized protocol using phantom. In phase two, optimized protocol will be tested on patient population and image quality will be analyzed subjectively and objectively. Outcome: Expected outcome would be to establish diagnostic reference level for optimized radiation dose protocol and Reduction in radiation dose in optimized dose protocol in comparison with existing dose protocol for CT Head & Neck and pelvis without compromising image quality.