ABSTRACT
This study examines doses to adult patients from diagnostic radiology. Measurements were made at 37 hospitals and private radiology centres in the state of Victoria. Skin entrance doses in air were measured for the exposure factors used by the radiographer for an average size patient for the following procedures: abdomen AP; pelvis AP; lumbar spine AP, lat, LSJ; and skull AP, lat. There was a large range of doses observed for each particular procedure. Factors contributing to the range of doses were identified. Guidance levels for adult radiography based on the third quartile values of the skin entrance dose have been adopted for use in Victoria.
Subject(s)
Radiation Dosage , Radiography/methods , Radiography/standards , Skin/radiation effects , Adult , Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation , Humans , Lumbar Vertebrae/diagnostic imaging , Monte Carlo Method , Pelvis/diagnostic imaging , Radiography, Abdominal/methods , Radiography, Abdominal/standards , Skull/diagnostic imaging , Surveys and Questionnaires , VictoriaABSTRACT
Image quality and dose parameters have been measured on most makes and models of CT scanners in Victoria. Image quality was assessed using a dose efficiency and imaging performance parameter (Q-value). Factors relating to patient dose were measured. Patient doses using CTDIw in mGy were determined for average size patients for the abdomen procedure. Guidance levels have been recommended for CT procedures in Victoria.
