Dosage Estimation in Mammography for Quality Assurance and Quality Control Using Adult Mammograms

Abstract

Any form of X-ray exposure should be carefully monitored and controlled, so that the patient is only exposed to safe amounts. Even though X-ray users are extremely careful when exposing their patients to diagnostic tests, where radiation is involved, it is important to bear in mind how low the risks really are, especially when compared to other forms of radiation exposure. As with any kind of medical procedure, X-rays are safe when they are used properly. When clinically indicated, properly conducted imaging with the smallest risk should be performed. In this study, the optical densities, OD, of adult mammograms, undergoing X-ray exposures was measured from the radiology department of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, with the aid of a densitometer, model MA 5336. The measured optical densities were used to estimate the X-ray radiation dose to patients, undergoing mammography, for the purpose of Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC), in diagnostic and screening. A total of fifty (50) adult mammograms were collected for use in the radiology department of the hospital. The optical densities were measured five times at different spots across the image of each of the mammograms and the mean were obtained, in other to estimate the absorbed dose. The results obtained showed that the mean dose was 0.48 mGy, minimum dose 0.04 mGy, maximum dose 1.07 mGy, range of dose 1.03 mGy, SD 0.24, kurtosis 2.77, 1 st Q 0.34 and 3 rd Q 0.66. These results were in agreement with those of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), guidance levels in X-ray guided medical interventional procedures.