Abstract
Due to the availability and frequent use of x-ray machine in the diagnoses of diseases and treatment of diseases in most of our hospitals and radio-diagnostic centers in Nigeria, the need to assess the quality control parameters and level of compliance of the x-ray machines cannot be over emphasized. The purpose of this research is to compare the result of four Quality Control test parameters of government (G1and G2), mission (M1 and M2) and private owned (P1and P2) x-ray machines of the radio-diagnostic facilities to ascertain the level of compliance among them with the set reference tolerance limits. Four Quality Control test parameters; kVp accuracy, congruence between optical and x-ray field, beam alignment and tube filtration was assessed from the measurement carried out using Gammex Radiologic kit with Gammex 330 digital kV meter, Gammex 115A half value layer set, collimator test tool model 161B and the beam alignment test tool model 162A.The result of kVp accuracy show that G1,G2,M2 and P1 all had values ranging from 2.30% - 3.14% within the set tolerance limit of ± 5% while M1 and P2 had values above the limit. In congruence between optical and x-ray field with tolerance limit of ±2%, only P2 was above limit, while in perpendicularity G2 and P2 were above the set limit of 1.5o. Tube filtration all the studied x-ray machines failed the test indicate absorption of excess low energy dose for patient. This research therefore reveals that the government and mission x-ray machines have better quality control programme that the private owned.
 Ike-Ogbonna, M. I. | Department of Physics, University of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
Highlights
In Nigeria, x-ray has remained the most frequently used ionizing radiation in medicine despite advances in magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound techniques
The quality control test was done for six x-ray machines using a Gammex Radiologic kit with Gammex 330 digital kV meter, collimator test tool model 161B, beam alignment test tool model 162A and Gammex 115A half value layer set
DETERMINATION OF THE BEAM ALIGNMENT, COLLIMATION AND CONGRUENCE (i) The collimator test tool and beam alignment test tool were both placed directly on an intensifying screen cassette with the beam alignment tool aligned onto the centre of the collimator test tool which was a flat brass plate of rectangular shape with markings etching on its surface. (ii) With a fixed kVp and milliampere second (mAs). (iii) An exposure was done on a well collimated light field. (iv) When film was developed the marked etching, surface was seen on the radiographic film and the positions of the two steel balls. (v) The beam alignment, congruence and collimation were measured for each x-ray machine
Summary
In Nigeria, x-ray has remained the most frequently used ionizing radiation in medicine despite advances in magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound techniques. It has maintained a key role in diagnosis of diseases, injury and in X-ray therapy (Oluwafisoye et al, 2010). In effect it is the largest man-made source of ionizing radiation to the world population for health applications (ICRP, 1991, UNSCEAR, 1993). Which will lead to over or under exposure, poor image quality, poor diagnosis and even retakes as the case may be This too may have strong public health implications. For the whole world population, the annual effective dose per person from medical sources is 0.62 mSv compared with 2.4 mSv for natural sources (IAEA, 2002)
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