Radiation burden of patients from alimentary canal examinations

The results are presented of a multi-centre study of the radiation burden of patients in the radiodiagnostic examination of the stomach and duodenum. In the study, comparative evaluation was made of radiation exposure using instrumentation available in Czechoslovakia. No significant differences were found for examinations using conventional screening techniques or skiascopy with amplifier and television without automatic current intensity adjustment. Significant reduction in radiation dose could be obtained using an amplifier with automatic current intensity selection and an automatic spot camera. The whole-body weighted dose equivalent was estimated for the diagnostic techniques. The results are tabulated. Economic considerations showed that increased cost of sophisticated equipment is more than balanced by reduced health hazards of irradiated patients. (L.O.)