Patient doses in general radiography examinations

Authors

  • Jeska Sidika Wambani Kenyatta National Hospital
  • Elias Gabriel Onditi Moi University Eldoret
  • Geoffrey Kibet Korir University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Ian Kipkirui Korir National Nuclear Regulator

Keywords:

local diagnostic reference levels, entrance surface air kerma, film-screen radiography, quality assurance

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the level of reject films, device quality control tests performance, image quality, and patient doses, at the Elister Medical Centre, Eldoret, Kenya.

Method: The radiation doses received by adult patients undergoing general radiographic examinations were estimated using an indirect method. A standard protocol was used to record patient and exposure parameters during X-ray examinations. The radiation doses were calculated from the patient data and exposure factors: focus to skin distance, kVp, and mAs. Quality control tests, using calibrated Unfors XI equipment, were performed on the X-ray equipment prior to the study.

Results: The mean entrance surface air kerma (ESAK) to the patients was found to be: 0.13 mGy for postero-anterior (PA) chest radiograph; 2.27 mGy for antero-posterior (AP) abdomen; 2.78 mGy for AP lumbar spine; 2.60 for AP pelvis; and 1.59 mGy for AP skull.

Conclusion: For most of the procedures considered the ESAK obtained was below the corresponding international diagnostic reference level. Without compromising the diagnostic value of the radiographs, the study established the first local diagnostic reference levels in a local clinical setting. These baseline data facilitate practical quality improvement on reject films, X-ray equipment efficiency performance, patient dose and image quality.

Author Biographies

Jeska Sidika Wambani, Kenyatta National Hospital

Radiology Department, Chief Medical Specialist Radiology

Elias Gabriel Onditi, Moi University Eldoret

Department of Radiology and Imaging, Professor

Geoffrey Kibet Korir, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Department of Physics and Applied Physics, Teaching Assistant

Ian Kipkirui Korir, National Nuclear Regulator

Nuclear Engineering, Senior Specialist Nuclear Engineering

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Published

2015-05-27

Issue

Vol. 53 No. 1 (2015)

Section

Original Articles

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