Assessment of Doses to Patients Submitted to Fluoroscopic Gastrointestinal Tract Examinations

Doses to the skin in patients undergoing fluoroscopic examinations of the gastrointestinal tract were measured. Barium swallow (BS), barium meal (BM) and double contrast barium enema (DCBE) examinations were assessed. Two procedures for calibration of the thermoluminescence dosemeters (TLD) used are discussed, free-in-air and with scattering tissue-equivalent medium in the diagnostic range of energies. The use of equipment with and without image intensifier (II-TV), which still operates in Brazil, were used for carrying out examinations. The high dose values which resulted from some procedures using fluorescent screen (without II-TV) make the use of this type of machine unacceptable. (author)