From Anatomical to Clinical DRLs: Establishing Indication-Based CT Dose Benchmarks in Saudi Arabia

Background: Although Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs) based on anatomical regions are widely used in Computed Tomography (CT) imaging, a clinical-indication-based approach provides a more accurate representation of daily practice and protocol variation. This study aimed to establish typical radiation doses for common CT clinical indications among adult patients at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH) in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 298 adult patients who underwent CT examinations between 2020 and 2025 using two dual-source scanners operating in single- and dual-source modes. Demographic data, acquisition parameters, and radiation dose metrics, including volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) and the dose–length product (DLP) were extracted from scanner consoles. Six clinical indications were analyzed: brain trauma, sinusitis, chest metastases (chest Mets), interstitial lung disease (ILD), abdominopelvic metastases (AbdPel Mets), and hernia. Results: Typical median CTDIvol values in mGy were 36.4 for brain trauma, 3.4 for sinusitis, 4.9 for chest Mets, 5.6 for ILD, 7.2 for AbdPel Mets and hernia. Corresponding DLP values in mGy·cm were 654, 50, 173, 188, 344, and 369, respectively. Brain trauma demonstrated the highest radiation exposure, whereas sinusitis CT showed the lowest. Most values were comparable to or lower than international DRLs. Conclusions: This study provides the first comprehensive clinical-indication-based DRL data in Saudi Arabia beyond anatomical benchmarks, supporting ongoing dose optimization and future national DRL development.