Entrance surface doses in patients during upper gastrointestinal examination

The entrance surface dose distributions in patients during the upper gastrointestinal examinations in the Cancer Institute Hospital were measured in 1972 and 1976, using CaSO4:Tm foil thermoluminescent dosimeters, which were transparent for x-rays. Average values of the maximum entrance surface doses during examination with the universal gyroscopic, remotely controlled, and general x-ray television apparatus were 23, 44, and 68 R, respectively, in 1972. By improving the x-ray quality, field size, and fluoroscopic procedures, radiation exposure in fluoroscopy was reduced and, as a result, average values of the total entrance surface doses during examination with the above apparatus were reduced to 8, 22, and 28 R, respectively, in 1976. (auth.)