ABSTRACT
A pilot study to compare radiation exposure with the Tru-Align rectangular collimation system to round collimation exposures was undertaken. Radiation exposure at various points within the cross sections of the collimators and entrance, intraoral and exit dose measurements were measured using InLight OSL dosimeters. Overall dose reduction with the use of the rectangular collimation system was estimated by taking into account the ratios of collimator openings and the average radiation exposure at the measurement points. Use of the Tru-Align system resulted in an average radiation exposure within the perimeter of the projected outline of the rectangular collimator of 36.1 mR, compared to 148.5 mR with the round collimator. Our calculations indicate a dose reduction by a factor of approximately 3.2 in the case of the Tru-Align system compared to round collimation. The Tru-Align system was easy to use, but in some situations failed to allow Xray coverage of the entire surface of the image receptor, leading to cone cuts.
