Estimation of adult patient doses for common diagnostic X-ray examinations in Wad-madani, Sudan: derivation of local diagnostic reference levels

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to estimate patient dose in some common diagnostic X-ray examinations. Radiation doses were estimated for 307 patients in six public hospitals comprising 7 X-ray units in Wad-madani, Sudan. Entrance surface air kerma (ESAK) was estimated in a three step protocol: First, X-ray unit output Y(d) was measured at a distance, d for different peak tube voltages and tube loadings (mAs). Next, incident air kerma (Ki) was calculated from Y(d) using inverse square law combined with patient exposure factors. ESAK was calculated from Ki using backscatter factor, B. Mean ESAK values are comparable to those reported in other countries and are below reference dose levels. The estimated mean ESAK values are: 0.3, 2.2, 2.2, 2.9, 2.8, 3.1, and 7.5 mGy for chest PA, Skull AP/PA, Skull LAT, Abdomen, Pelvis AP, Lumbar Spine AP and Lumbar Spine LAT examinations, respectively. The results are used for dose optimization, and to propose local diagnostic reference levels.

Estimates of Patient Radiation Doses in Digital Radiography Using DICOM Information at a Large Teaching Hospital in Oman

“…However, it is possible that in a large hospital with many Xray installations, as in the case of this study, radiological examinations are carried out using doses lower than the corresponding DRLs. In these cases, new dose levels can be established in a similar way as the DRLs and thereafter adopted to be used only locally, as local diagnostic reference levels (LDRLs), to improve the already good practice [27]. The LDRLs suggested in this study are presented alongside the achievable median doses (Tables 3 and 4).…”

A practical guide for paediatric diagnostic reference levels (PiDRLs)

“…When film/screen systems are used, the tube focus-to-patient support is replaced by the focus-to-film distance (FFD), as indicated in Eq. (1b ) [54] :…”