Patient irradiation of at photo-fluorographic examinations. Pros and cons the fluorographic method for mass prophylactic examinations

In Bulgaria, unlike the developed European countries, the photo-fluorographic method is still the basic method for prophylactic examinations in accordance with the Bulgarian legislation regulations. The photo-fluorographic examination of lungs is an obligatory medical examination for the annual contingent before enrollment in the army. The aims of this study are: 1) To compare the frequency and dose burden of patients at photo-fluorographic examinations in Bulgaria and other countries (in accordance with the UNSCEAR data); 2) To compare the doses from photo-fluorographic examinations with the patients' doses from standard x-ray examinations of thorax, carried out at conventional x-ray equipment; 3) To analyze the validity of prophylactic photo-fluorographic examinations in the light of the ALARA principle and current European legislation. (authors)