Establishment of Diagnostic Reference Levels for Radiography in 10-year-old Pediatric Patients in Republic of Korea

Abstract

The diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for a 10-year-old patient were established for the most common types of general radiography in this study, using a glass dosimeter and a phantom corresponding to the international standards. The DRLs are set by measuring the entrance surface doses (ESD) at 211 medical institutions. The ESD of the skull posterior-anterior (PA) projection is between 0.11 and 5.59 mGy, with the average dose at 1.03 mGy, and the third quartile value at 1.17 mGy. The ESD of the skull lateral (LAT) projection is between 0.08 and 5.20 mGy, with the average dose at 0.78 mGy, and the third quartile value at 0.96 mGy. The ESD of the chest PA projection is between 0.01 and 1.38 mGy, with the average dose at 0.18 mGy, and the third quartile value at 0.20 mGy. The ESD of the chest LAT projection is between 0.04 and 3.36 mGy, with the average dose at 0.42 mGy, and the third quartile value at 0.46 mGy. The ESD of the abdomen AP projection is between 0.09 and 4.64 mGy, with the average dose at 0.85 mGy, and the third quartile value at 1.13 mGy. The ESD of the pelvis AP projection is between 0.1 and 5.26 mGy, with the average dose at 0.85 mGy, and the third quartile value at 1.06 mGy. Based on third quartile values and through clinical expert consultation, the DRLs for 10-year-olds in Korea were established at 1.1 mGy for skull PA, 0.9 mGy for skull LAT, 0.2 mGy for chest PA, 0.4 mGy for chest LAT, 1.1 mGy for abdomen AP, and 1.0 mGy for pelvis AP.