Evaluation of angle regulator with protection shields in the skeletal fluorosis X-ray radiography

Objective: To evaluate the value of the muhifunctional angle regulator with shields in skeletal fluorosis X-ray radiography. Methods: Conventional radiography, regulator with shields and regulator for radiography were used to examine the forearms and shanks of 78 patients, and then the quality of the photos and the diagnostic results were compared. The dose rates on patients' foresides, sides, and bottoms of division 1 and 2 m were measured by pressure ionization instrument. Results: Regulator with shields and regulator for radiography had a higher rate of good quality than conventional radiography by 39 %, and consequently the diagnostic accuracy rate were improved by 37% (χ2 = 43.33, 43.98 and 17.76, 14.56, P < 0.01). By conventional radiography the average dose rates on forearms and shanks I and 2 m away from X-ray axis were 1198, 934 and 1439, 1175 μSv/h, respectively; while regulator with shields and single regulator were used, corresponding average dose rates were 80.6, 39.4 and 95.6, 59.5 μSv/h and 375.7, 187 and 447, 226.3 μSv/h, respectively. Conclusions: Angle regulator with shields is effective devices to examine the forearms and shanks of the patients who are suffering from dysfunction of skeletal fluorosis. (authors)