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BackgroundRadiation, which is used extensively to diagnose and treat human diseases, poses an occupational health risk for the concerned health workers. Personal dosimetry is an important tool to monitor occupational radiation exposures. ObjectiveThis study was conducted to reveal and to describe the situation of occupational radiation exposure monitoring among staffs in different health care facilities in Nepal. MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed among the 35 Health Care Facilities. Information about types and number of X-ray procedures performed, types and number of personnel involved, workload and the availability of personal dosimetry service were collected. ResultsSix Health Care Facilities had personal dosimetry service available for a total of 149 personnel. Of a total of nearly one million X-ray procedures performed in the 35 Health Care Facilities in 2007, 76 % was performed by non-monitored personnel. The majority of the facilities performing high dose procedures, like catheterisation, angiography and intestinal barium procedures did not offer personal dosimetry for the involved personnel. ConclusionThere are a limited number of personnel being monitored with personal dosimetry. There are no regulatory dose limits for occupationally exposed staff. Thus, there is an urgent need to establish a national radiation protection authority to regulate the use of radiation in Nepal.

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PurposeCerebrospinal fluid shunt valves are important tools in hydrocephalus treatment. Adjustable valves, sensitive to MRI, are onerous. They need be controlled; in case of re-settings. The vendor give advices for the radiographic procedure; however, hospitals use variations. The purpose was to investigate the different variations. MethodEight images consisting combinations of protocol features, were subjectively and anonymous rated for image quality. The panel consisted of 60 professionals; 50 radiographers and 10 radiologists, from two hospitals doing neurosurgery services. Signal-to-noise ratio compared the level of desired signal to the level of background noise.Results 348 scores were distributed onto all eight images, revealing the image quality difference was within acceptance. Options as valve on the head side near to the detector versus far to; differing geometry, use of head bowl versus not use, air-gap versus grids, were favored by both professional groups and at both hospitals in a clear priority image, given 2.5 times scores over average (108/43). Noise, revealed being the strongest indicator for priority of the best image for shunt evaluation.