Abstract
The goal of this study was to establish local diagnostic reference levels (LDRLs) for conventional radiography examinations in Sistan‐Baluchestan province of Iran, using dose area product (DAP) measurements followed by a comparison with international dose levels. DAP factor evaluation was carried out at eight radiography rooms in six public and one private health‐care centers. The study employed DAP, exposure, and demographic data (weight, age, height) for 1069 patients who presented for one of the 11 routine radiography examinations: chest (AP, PA, LAT), abdomen (AP), lumbar spine (AP, LAT), pelvis (AP), skull (AP/PA, LAT), and cervical spine (AP, LAT). The data were analyzed statistically and the minimum, median, mean, maximum, and third quartile DAP values were calculated. It was observed that LDRLs for chest PA (0.26 Gy.cm2) and chest LAT (0.66 Gy.cm2) projections were up to 136% and 113% higher, respectively, than their corresponding NRPB 2005 values. Other radiographic procedures had lower recommended reference doses compared with recently recommended national reference doses published in recent NRPB reports and other studies. Wide variations in DAP values and exposure parameters were observed for similar radiographic procedures between patients in different rooms and for different patients in the same room. These and other observations, such as poor radiographic techniques, high rate of radiographic reject/repeat, and lack of modern X‐ray machines and equipment, show that the need to carry out quality assurance programs is critical in Iran.PACS numbers: 87.53.Bn, 87.59.B
Highlights
NCRP 160 Report states that medical radiation exposure of the United States population is almost half of total radiation exposure from natural and artificial sources.[1]. In its 2010 Report, the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) indicates that medical radiology is the largest man-made source of radiation exposure.[2]. This is a result of the growing use of diagnostic imaging methods, computed tomography (CT)
The last 50 years of dosimetry in the United States have shown that the regular use of quality control programs for diagnostic radiology equipment and the establishment of diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) by the National Evaluation of X-ray Trends () have played vital roles in reducing patient radiation doses.[6]. For example, based on patient average entrance skin dose (ESD) and data such as reference dose levels, a 50%–70% reduction in average ESD was achieved for the years 1964 to 2004 for chest PA, abdomen AP, and lumbar-sacral spine AP radiography examinations.[6]. Similar efforts have led to large reductions in patient doses in countries such as the UK
This study examines the patient dose information and local diagnostic reference levels (LDRLs) in Sistan-Baluchestan, Iran
Summary
NCRP 160 Report states that medical radiation exposure of the United States population is almost half of total radiation exposure from natural and artificial sources.[1]. The last 50 years of dosimetry in the United States have shown that the regular use of quality control programs for diagnostic radiology equipment and the establishment of DRLs by the National Evaluation of X-ray Trends () have played vital roles in reducing patient radiation doses.[6] For example, based on patient average entrance skin dose (ESD) and data such as reference dose levels, a 50%–70% reduction in average ESD was achieved for the years 1964 to 2004 for chest PA, abdomen AP, and lumbar-sacral spine AP radiography examinations.[6] Similar efforts have led to large reductions in patient doses in countries such as the UK. NRPB 2005 (HPA-RPD-029) reports that 20 years of regular patient dose monitoring has reduced DRLs by more than 50%.(7)
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