Calculation of radiation dose received in pelvis radiographic examinations

Diagnostic x-ray examinations play an important role in the health care of the population. These examinations may involve significant irradiation of the patient and probably represent the largest man made source of radiation exposure for the population. This study was performed at Khartoum Teaching Hospital in period of january to june 2014. This study was performed to assess the entrance surface dose (ESD) received in pelvis radiographic examination and to analyze entrance surface dose distributions among radiological departments under study, The study was performed in Khartoum Teaching Hospital, covering two x-ray units and a sample of 50 patients, The following parameters were recorded age , weight, height, body mass index (BMI) derived from weight (kg) and (height (m)) and exposure factors. The dose was measured for pelvis x-rays examination. The entrance surface dose (ESD) values were estimated from the x-ray tube output parameters for pelvis AP and lateral examination. The ESD values were then calculated using IAEA calculation methods. The results of ESD values calculated showed that patient exposure were within the normal range of exposure. The mean ESD values calculated were (3.58±0.03) mGy and (4.37±0.22) mGy for pelvis AP and lateral examinations, respectively, the national reference value of entrance surface dose for AP pelvis is (10 mGy). Further studies are recommended with more number of patients and using more two modalities for comparison. (Author)