MEASUREMENT OF ENTRANCE SKIN DOSES FOR PATIENTS UNDERGOING DIAGNOSTIC X-RAY EXAMINATION IN FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE (FMC) HOSPITAL, AZARE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

The risk associated with exposure to ionizing radiation is dependent on the characteristics of the exposed individual. The size and the structure of the individual influence the absorbed dose distribution in the organs. Although many researches have been conducted on radiation dose from medical exposure, in Bauchi there is not much data on assessment of patient entrance skin dose (ESD) and the health risk from conventional radiography in daily clinical practice. In the current work we estimated the entrance skin dose (ESD) for adult patients undergoing X-ray examination in F.M.C hospital, Azare. A total of 40 patients were included in this study. ESDs were measured using thermoluminescence dosimeter (TLD) badges attached to the skin surface of the X-ray beam during chest PA. Pelvic AP, lumbosacral AP and lumbosacral lateral examinations. Patients’ biometric variables such as (age, weight, height, sex and thickness) and X-ray tube parameters (tube current, tube voltage) exposure time, focus to skin distance (FSD) and focus to film distance (FFD) were recorded. The results showed that the mean values for chest PA, pelvic AP, lumbosacral AP and lumbosacral lateral were 0.28, 2.71, 3.72 and 7.62 mGy respectively. The measured ESD for this study ranges from 0.18mGy to 16.49mGy. These values were found to be in agreement with the guidance level set by IAEA and standard diagnostic reference level.