Estimation of Patient Effective Radiation Dose in Renal System Imaging

Abstract

Imaging of the renal system is done with different techniques depending mainly on clinical symptoms and signs , Renal Scintigraphy and Urography provides the radiologist with useful detailed information. However, it is whom responsibility to determine scanning technique factor that provide balance between image quality and radiation dose and share in keeping patient radiation exposure at lowest as possible. This study was intended to evaluate patient radiation dose for nuclear medicine DTPA renal scan , computed tomography (CT) and conventional urography. This study was conducted at Alnilain Diagnostic Center, Khartoum during 3months. Machine used for renal scan was Orbiter 37 Gamma camera single head 37PMTs/ FOV 387mm , CT machine, SIEMENS-SOMATOM emotion duo for CTU, and SHIMADZU, permanent filtration 1.5 mm AL at 70 kV for IVU. Effective doses was estimated using a conversion factors based on Monte Carlo Simulation. Patients’ radiation dose value for DTPA renal scan was (0.78 ±0.18 mSv) , Patients’ radiation dose values for CTU were 168.6 ±62.6 mGy/cm (DLP), and Effective dose 2.53± 0.94 mSv Patients radiation dose values for IVU were 21.62±5.85 mGy ESD and 1.79±0.48 mSv Effective dose .