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Aims: The aims of this study were to measure the radiation dose to patients in certain routine x-ray examinations and to estimate organs equivalent and effective doses. Study Design: This prospective study included 220 adult patients who underwent 9 radiographic X ray imaging procedures. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted Sharg Elneel Model Hospital (A), Fidail Hospital (B), Al-Amal Hospital (C) and Medical Corps Hospital (D), Khartoum state, Sudan, between June, 2013-August, 2015. Methodology: The entrance surface air kerma (ESAK) was measured for four radiographic examinations using thermo luminescence dosimeters (TLD-GR200A). A total of 220 patients were examined in four hospitals. Results: The mean ESAK (mGy) for the chest, hand, knee joint, leg, shoulder, foot, arm, ankle and lumbar spine were 0.40±0.04, 0.36±0.03, 0.64±0.07, 0.39±0.04, 0.35±0.02, 0.54±0.02, 0.26±0.02, 0.46±0.03 and 1.98±1.1, respectively. The overall effective dose was 0.16±0.05 mSv. Conclusions: The results of ESAK were comparable with previous studies. Patient’s doses showed wide variations in the same types of x-ray examination due to the choice of exposure factors, technique, focus-to-film distance, filter, film-screen speed and the output of the x-ray units and processor quality were used.
RESUMEN
OBJETIVO: Os objetivos deste trabalho são: a) avaliar os procedimentos radiográficos e estimar o valor do kerma no ar na superfície de entrada nos recém-nascidos prematuros submetidos a exames de tórax e abdome, realizados no setor de neonatologia de um hospital público de Belo Horizonte; b) estimar as doses nos órgãos e os respectivos riscos de ocorrência de câncer nesses órgãos em decorrência das exposições à radiação. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram analisados os prontuários dos pacientes internados no setor de neonatologia desse hospital durante o período de maio a setembro de 2004, anotando-se os dados antropométricos, data de internação/alta, exames de raios X realizados. O kerma no ar na superfície de entrada foi determinado a partir do rendimento do tubo de raios X e dos parâmetros de irradiação utilizados nos exames. As doses nos órgãos foram estimadas com o software PCXMC e o risco, durante o restante da expectativa de vida, com o software IREP. RESULTADOS: O valor médio do kerma no ar na superfície de entrada por exame foi abaixo do nível de referência da publicação da Comunidade Européia. Para o paciente mais severamente irradiado, os órgãos mais suscetíveis à ocorrência de câncer foram fígado, mama e estômago, com valores máximos de excess relative risk, respectivamente, de 3,4 por cento, 2,3 por cento e 1,7 por cento. CONCLUSÃO: Foi constatada a necessidade de otimização dos procedimentos radiográficos com vista à diminuição do risco para os recém-nascidos, que apesar de ser considerado baixo (comparativamente ao benefício), deve ser sempre diminuído para valores tão baixos quanto razoavelmente exeqüíveis.
OBJECTIVE: The present study was aimed at: a) evaluating radiographic procedures and estimating entrance surface air kerma in preterm neonates submitted to chest and abdominal radiography at the unit of neonatology in a public hospital of Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; b) estimating the dose to organs and respective risks for cancer as a result from radiation exposure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records of patients admitted to the unit of neonatology of this hospital in the period between May and September 2004 were reviewed. Anthropometric data, admission/discharge dates and radiographic studies performed were recorded for each of the patients. The calculation of the entrance surface air kerma was based on the x-ray tube output and irradiation parameters adopted for examinations. Dose to organs was calculated with the aid of the software PCXMC, and the lifetime risk for cancer, with the software IREP. RESULTS: Mean entrance surface air kerma per examination was below the diagnostic reference levels recommended by the European Community. In the most severely irradiated patients, liver, breast and stomach were the organs at highest risk for cancer, with maximum excess relative risk of respectively 3.4 percent, 2.3 percent, and 1.7 percent. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated the need for optimization of radiographic procedures in order to reduce the risks for neonates that, in spite of being considered to be low as compared with the benefits, should be reduced to values as low as reasonably achievable.