Calibration of diagnostic x-ray machines using thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLDs)

This work analyzes the radiation doses received by 250 patients, during the most frequent diagnostic x-ray examination, chest radiography at departments of diagnostic radiology in a number of hospitals in Khartoum state. The skin enterance and gonadal doses are measured during chest examination using thermoluminescence dosimeter (LiF rods). The gonadal doses are calculated as a percentage of chest skin enterance dose. Chest enterance dose is measured using water phantom under the same conditions of radiography, and compared with data from other countries. Patients under 16 years received the highest gonadal doses, whereas patients under 16 years received the highest chest skin enterance doses. (Author)