Organ dose and conversion coefficients applied to gonads and uterus in enteroclysis with double contrast technique

Abstract

Conversion coefficients are commonly used to estimate the radiation dose in projectional radiography from the dose-area product (DAP). This study investigates whether conversion coefficients can also be used for dosimetry in fluoroscopic procedures. Thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLD) were placed into an anthropomorphic phantom (Alderson Rando Phantom) to measure the dose absorbed by the gonads and uterus. A standardized enteroclysis in double contrast technique (Sellink/Herlinger) was simulated and the DAP was measured. Three examinations with 70, 80 and 90 kV were carried out with a fluoroscopy time of 15 minutes each. The relations between the DAP and the organ dose were analyzed and a linear regression was performed to determine the conversion coefficients [mSv/cGycm (2)]. The DAP and the organ dose measured by TLD were strongly correlated (r > 0.95) for all examined organs. The strong correlations between TLD-measured organ doses and DAP recommend the use of conversion coefficients for the dosimetry of fluoroscopic procedures.