Abstract
ObjectivesTo derive conversions of antiquated exposure data into modern equivalents and to apply these in the assessment of the skin dose of pelvic radiographs since 1896.MethodsThe literature 1896–2018 was searched for implicit and explicit dose information. The early implicit dose data contained now obsolete descriptions of radiation quality and quantity for long since disappeared X-ray systems of limited efficiency. Converting the old information into modern specifications was achieved using contemporary data and computer simulations. Final dose calculations were done with modern software. Explicit radiation doses of later date reported in old quantities and units were adapted according to current recommendations.ResultsFor the period before 1927 conversion algorithms for spark gap data and penetrometer hardnesses to high voltage could be derived. Electrical and X-ray efficiencies of several old röntgen systems were determined. Together they allowed reconstruction of 53 doses. After 1927 doses were generally explicitly specified; 114 were retrieved. Although an enormous spread was observed, the average skin dose was reduced by a factor of about 400.ConclusionsAntiquated exposure data were successfully used for dose reconstruction. Extreme dose variability was a constant. Efforts to cut down doses were effective as skin doses went down from sub-erythema values to about one milligray.
Highlights
Investigating the origin of gonad shielding, we searched for information on radiation doses around 1900
We decided to address this issue on a larger scale, taking the entrance dose required for a radiograph in the pelvic area as the main subject of our investigation
We found virtually no half value layer (HVL) data for clinical radiography, but data on the relation between hardness and HVL were relatively numerous; these are shown in Additional file 1: ES VI
Summary
Investigating the origin of gonad shielding, we searched for information on radiation doses around 1900. With hindsight the dosimetric problems of users of X-ray systems directly after 1895 are easy to see Their theoretical framework was incomplete, they lacked the Kemerink et al Insights into Imaging (2019) 10:39 tools to measure all essential system characteristics and their X-ray tubes were inconstant in their functioning. It explains why users gave no (or at best incomplete) descriptions of X-ray exposures. Until 1927 information on high voltage, radiation hardness and dose was always in antiquated form The transformation of these old data to modern quantities, including the assessment of the röntgen systems involved, is at the core of this study. To put the newly estimated doses from early radiology into perspective, explicit dose data from 1927 through 2018 were retrieved and converted into current equivalents if necessary
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