Dose audit for patients undergoing two common radiography examinations with digital radiology systems

Abstract

RADIOLOGY PHYSICSORIGINAL ARTICLE PURPOSE We aimed to determine the radiation doses delivered to patients undergoing general examinations using computed or digital radiography systems in Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODSRadiographs of 20 patients undergoing posteroanterior chest X-ray and of 20 patients undergoing anteroposterior kidney-ureter-bladder radiography were evaluated in five X-ray rooms at four local hospitals in the Ankara region. Currently, almost all radiology departments in Turkey have switched from conventional radiography systems to computed radiography or digital radiography systems. Patient dose was measured for both systems. The results were compared with published diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) from the European Union and International Atomic Energy Agency. RESULTSThe average entrance surface doses (ESDs) for chest examinations exceeded established international DRLs at two of the X-ray rooms in a hospital with computed radiography. All of the other ESD measurements were approximately equal to or below the DRLs for both examinations in all of the remaining hospitals. Improper adjustment of the exposure parameters, uncalibrated automatic exposure control systems, and failure of the technologists to choose exposure parameters properly were problems we noticed during the study. CONCLUSIONThis study is an initial attempt at establishing local DRL values for digital radiography systems, and will provide a benchmark so that the authorities can establish reference dose levels for diagnostic radiology in Turkey.

Local diagnostic reference levels for routine chest X-ray examinations at a public sector hospital in central South Africa

“…However, care must be taken not to overexpose the patient by applying more radiation than required for a diagnostically sufficient image (Körner et al 2007 ). These technological changes have also been experienced in the specific imaging department in the Northern Cape province of South Africa, where the research was conducted and necessitated patient dose assessment for diagnostic procedures in clinical practice (Torres et al [2004] cited by İnal & Ataç 2014 ).…”

The National Diagnostic Reference Level in Routine Digital Radiography Examinations in Iran

“…Moreover, make national and international comparisons for DRL; nonetheless, DRLs are not universal in nature and radiography practice. Furthermore, the technique varies in countries [13] Limpidly, the ICRP encourages regulatory authorities to set up DRLs which are consistent for the regional, national, or local area in which they would be applied. Contemplate the latest ICRP recommendations and the advances in digital radiology, the essence of patient dose recording and establishment of prognostic reference levels for digital radiology are indicated [14][15].…”