survey of annual effective and genetically significant dose from conventional X-ray examinations in 10 counties Khorasan province-Iran

A study has been conducted to assess two useful radiation protection indices, the annual per-capita effective dose equivalent [AED] andthe genetically significant dose [GSD], from conventional diagnostic radiography in 10 counties with more than 1,886,000 inhabitants in Khorasan province in Iran. The health centre authorities of Khorasan province were asked to record data of their patients [sex, age, weight and height] who had undergone radiography during one month starting October 2002, with the radiography specifications [kVp, mAs, FSD, field size] and conditions of the X-ray machines [filtration, model and performance]. Based on the gonad absorbed dose level, the radiography data were first divided into 5 groups. Then, the average gonad and effective dose of the radiography groups were estimated using ODS-60 software, and finally, GSD and AED of each county were calculated. Average number of radiography per thousand inhabitant was 34.5 in this study, which varied from 9.4 [Kashmar] to 109.4 [Ferdos]. Number of X-ray units per 1000 population was 0.008. The GSD and AED of inhabitants in 10 counties in Khorasan province is 0.012 and 0.014 mGy/y/person respectively. The GSD and AED of 10 counties in Khorasan province were much lower than those in most of other countries, which would have been due to lower number of X-ray units and examinations per 1000 inhabitants. Although this would reduce the risk of radiation absorbed dose from medical diagnostic, but it also showed need to improve and expand the health care facility and services in those cities

Estimation of the effective dose to the radiologists during fluoroscopy or angiography of abdominal viscera

The radiation effective dose received by the radiologists during procedures such as fluoroscopy or different angiographies are usually evaluated using TL dosimeter. This method is a time-consuming procedure; therefore, radiologists are usually worried and unaware of their exact radiation dose received during each fluoroscopy or angiography. In this study, a new trend for quick estimation of effective dose based on measuring air-absorbed dose of the scattered radiations at body surface of the radiologists has been introduced. Scattered radiations of abdominal viscera were simulated by a fluoroscopy unit [Shimatsu, model SF5010MD], and a water phantom [spherical plastic bag 27 cm in diameter filled with water up to 22.5 cm height]. Radiation field was 20 × 20 cm on the bed and X-ray tube had 1.5 and 2 mm of Aluminum as an internal and external filtration respectively. A calibrated survey meter model RDS-110 was used to measure the scattered radiation horizontally and vertically around the phantom at different angles and distances, in front and behind of an apron. The scattered dose rate at 1 m from the phantom, during fluoroscopy at 83 kVp and 1.7 mA, was 451 microGy/h. This value reduced to 4.45 microGy/h by passing through lead ribbons of serigraph and to 1.2 microSv/h behind an apron. The scattered dose rate at different angles above the bed was constant and varied by distance from the center of the radiation field. The effective dose received by the radiologist is estimated to be about 174microGy/h, while wearing an apron and staying 50 cm away from the patient during fluoroscopy or angiography of abdominal viscera. The radiologist can estimate his/her effective dose following a fluoroscopy or different angiographies of abdominal viscera, by determining scatter radiation dose at their body surface and applying factor 0.87 for shielding effect of the body. Equivalent organ dose can also be calculated from dose rate in air after applying factor 0.87 for deep organs or 1.1 [the mass energy absorption coefficient ratio of water/tissue to air] for organs near the surface

Laparascopic management of impalpable cryptorchiol testis

Laparoscopy has been widely used in the diagnosis and treatment of impalpable testises. This study was done to report the first experience of the use of laparoscopy in impalpable testises in the Mashhad university of medical sciences [MUMS]. During 6 years, 43 patients with UDT were treated. In those were no evidence of existence of gonad in physical examination and ultrasonography, laparoscopy was done by the 5 [mm] [0 [deg]] lens. Position of testis, complications of operation and duration of admission in hospital was recorded. In the 13 patients from 43 patients [30.23%] testis was not palpable in the inguinal canal. Also ultrasonography didn't detect the existence of testis.Therefore, laparoscopy was used. Average age of patients was 11.88 +/- 8.38 years. In 3 patients small remnant of testis was seen. Two patients had no testis. In 8 patients, normal gonads were seen that the treatment was done. No severe or mild complications were seen. All of the patients except one were discharged 24 hours after operation. Our study showed that laparoscopy is a beneficial and safe instrument to correct diagnosis in impalpable testises and in some situation prevents from an unnecessary exploration of inguinal region and laparotomy. Also in patients that previous exploration was not beneficial for them causes a correct diagnosis

[ comparison between colour doppler ultrasonography and intravenous urography in diagnosis of ureteral obstruction due to ureteral stone]

Urinary stone is one of the most common cause ofureteral obstruction. Degree of obstruction has an important role in choosing time and method of treatment. The aim of this cross-sectional study is comparison between Color Doppler Ultrasound and Intravenous Urogram in diagnosis ofureteral obstruction in patients with ureteral stone. 35 patients with unilateral renal colic were studied from October 2004 to June 2005. In all patients the presence of stone in the ureter was confirmed by Sonography. Mean age was 36.9 +/- 9.1 years. After analgesia and determination of serum creatinin level, color Doppler ultrasound [CDU] was done with semi-distended bladder. Number, velocity, and duration of ureteral jets were observed in five minutes, bilaterally. Immediately after CDU, the patients were transferred to the next room to perform standard IVU. All data was recorded and analyzed with statistical methods.%71.4 of patients were male and 28% were female. Mean serum creatinine was 0.9 +/- 0.18 mg/dl. In all patients with complete ureteral obstruction in IVU, ureteral jets were diminished [42.1%] or absent [57.9%] in CDU. In patients with partial obstruction in IVU, diminished jets in CDU were noted in 86.7%; and only in 2 patients [13.3%] normal jets were seen. Number of jets in one minute was 0.84 +/- 1.46 in patients with complete obstruction, and 5.18 +/- 3.4 in partial obstruction [P<0.001]. There was a significant difference in velocity and duration of jets between complete and partial obstruction [P<0.01 and P<0.001 respectively]. The number, velocity, and duration of the jets in the normal side was not significantly different between the two groups of patients [P=0.31, P=0.51, and P=0.27 respectively]. This study showed that CDU can determine ureteral obstruction in renal colic patients in most cases. It is a safe, fast, and noninvasive test. CDU of ureteral jets is recommended as a functional test in renal colic patients