Abstract
In Nigeria, a large number of radiographic examinations are conducted yearly for various diagnostic purposes. However, most examinations carried out do not have records of doses received by the patients, and the employed exposure parameters used are not documented; therefore, adequate radiation dose management is hindered. The aim of the present study was to estimate the dose‐area product (DAP) of patients examined in Nigeria, and to propose regional reference dose levels for nine common examinations (chest PA, abdomen AP, pelvis AP, lumbar AP, skull AP, leg AP, knee AP, hand AP, and thigh AP) undertaken in Nigeria. Measurement of entrance surface dose (ESD) was carried out using thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD). Measured ESDS were converted into DAP using the beam area of patients in 12 purposely selected hospitals. Results of the study show that the maximum/minimum ratio ranged from 3 for thigh AP to 57 in abdomen AP. The range of determined mean and 75th percentile DAPs were 0.18–17.16, and 0.25–28.59 Gy cm2, respectively. Data available for comparison show that 75th percentile DAPs in this study (in chest PA, abdomen AP, pelvis AP, lumbar AP) are higher than NRPB‐HPE reference values. The DAP in this study is higher by factor of 31.4 (chest PA), 9.9 (abdomen AP), 2.2 (pelvis AP), and 2.1 (lumbar AP) than NRPB‐HPE values. The relative higher dose found in this study shows nonoptimization of practice in Nigeria. It is expected that regular dose auditing and dose optimization implementation in Nigeria would lead to lower DAP value, especially in abdomen AP. The 75th percentile DAP distribution reported in this study could be taken as regional diagnostic reference level in the Southwestern Nigeria; however, a more extensive nationwide dose survey is required to establish national reference dose.PACS number(s): 87.53.Bn, 87.59.B
Highlights
In Nigeria, over 2.5 million medical examinations involving conventional radiography and computed tomography (CT) examinations are performed annually in the 36 states of the country
Environmental monitoring of radiation levels in Nigeria has been actively carried out since 1964 after a nuclear weapon was reportedly tested in the Sahara Desert which is close to the northern border of the country.[1]. Radiation monitoring equipment was mounted on the rooftop of the building that housed the Federal Radiation Protection Service (FRPS) to monitor the possible nuclear fallout from Sahara Desert test
The filtrations used in the work of Ogundare et al[4] (UCH: 2.7, BMSH: 1.5, FMC: 2.5 mm Al), Egbe et al[31] (GH: 2.5, TH: 2.6 mm Al), Akinlade et al[32] (UCH: 2.7, OAUTHC: 1.7, TDC: 2.7, NHA: 1.0 (+ 0.1 mm Cu) mm Al), Olowookere et al[9] (H1: 3.0, H2: 1.0, H3: 2.0 mm Al), and this study show that Nigerian facilities are largely using relatively low filtration compared with the filtrations reported in the work of Suliman et al[33] which ranged between 2.5 and 5.0 mm Al
Summary
In Nigeria, over 2.5 million medical examinations involving conventional radiography and CT examinations are performed annually in the 36 states of the country. Other few attempts of dose measurements were made by individuals (sponsored by individuals).(6,7,8,9,10,11). Both occupational and patient doses are included in the measurement carried out, only a handful of the results of investigation (sponsored researches) got back to the management of the centers investigated. The process of recording the technique factors and patient parameters used during examination as required by National Occupational Health and Safety Commission NRPB, UK[12] for future use, and decision-making is generally not available in Nigeria
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