Evaluation of effective dose and entrance skin dose in digital radiology

A review of 20 years publication in the field of radiation protection in diagnostic radiology in Iran

In recent years, knowing the risks of stochastic effects of radiation, patient dose in diagnostic radiology is taken in to consideration extensively. Many countries and international organization, including International Commission on Radiological Protection, use quantities such as dose area product, entrance surface dose, etc. in radiological investigations, which serve as a guide for patient dose reduction. The concept of diagnostic reference level (DRL) is used to optimizing the dose of patients undergoing diagnostic radiology examinations. The present study aimed to review the studies on the DRLs in Iran. This study was conducted to review the status of patient dose in diagnostic radiology in Iran. A comprehensive literature search was performed without time constraints in the popular databases such as Google Scholar, Medline, Embase, PubMed, Irandoc, Iran Medex, Magiran and Scientific Information Database under the key words 'Entrance Surface Dose', 'dose area product, 'diagnostic reference level' and 'DRL' in Iran. Data on the radiation dose to patients has demonstrated further reductions in patient doses in the Iran. Considering advanced techniques and dose reduction methodologies complicates comparability between studies. Joint efforts of experts in the field of radiological protection and medical imaging and training program are necessary for achieving an acceptable condition.

ESTIMATION OF THE ORGAN AND EFFECTIVE DOSE TO PATIENTS UNDERGOING MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC X-RAY EXAMINATIONS IN SAUDI ARABIA

Quantifying the radiological risk from diagnostic radiography is essential for patients' safety. Effective dose is considered the best quantity to determine the stochastic risk associated with the radiological examinations. Therefore, the present work investigated organ and effective dose for adult patients in the most common type of X-ray examinations, such as the chest (PA/LAT), abdomen (AP) and lumbar spine (AP/LAT) projections. The PCXMC version 2 Monte Carlo program was used to estimate the organ and effective dose for 547 patients who underwent a radiographic examination at the King Abdulaziz Hospital, Saudi Arabia. The results showed wide variation in organ doses. The largest organ dose in each X-ray examination were 2.72 mGy for the spleen in the lumbar spine (LAT), 1.98 mGy for the urinary bladder in the lumbar spine (AP), 0.40 mGy for the spleen in the chest (PA), 0.11 mGy for the kidney in the chest (LAT) and 1.78 mGy for the testicles in the abdomen (AP) examinations. Values for the effective dose were estimated for each investigated X-ray examination, and the results were compared with the published values available in the literature. The obtained values for effective dose were relatively lower than those reported by the European Commission and the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation for the same examinations. The results presented here will help establish a database that will be useful for future comparisons and monitoring in radiographic procedures.