Measurement of Entrance Skin Dose and Effective Dose during Chest x-ray Examinations for paediatric patients

Abstract

Patient dose monitoring was formalized in the national protocol for patient dose measurement in Diagnostic Radiology in 1992. Entrance Skin Dose (ESD) and Effective Dose (ED) have been measured for paediatrics patient under going Chest x-ray examination in five Hospitals in Sudan namely (Ahmed Gasim, Khartoum, Omdurman and Elbulk for Paediatric Hospital) in Khartoum State and in Sinar State (Sinar Hospital). Patients were classed into four different age groups 0->1 year, 1->5 year, 5->10 year and 10->15 year. Tow examination projection have been investigated, namely Anterior Posterior (AP) and Posterior Anterior (PA). The results have been obtained with the use of the DoseCal soft ware which developed by the Radiological Protection Center in Saint Gorges Hospital London. The Mean of ESD and ED are presented and comparisons were made between these doses and Diagnostic Reference Levels, also between doses and those from other countries. The Mean of ESD and ED in Elbulk and Sinar Hospital are higher than other Hospital and also higher than Reference Dose and other Countries. The reason for the higher doses have been discussed and suggestions are given to reduce doses to paediatric patient during x-ray IV examination especially in developing Countries, since paediatrics more sensitive to radiation than adults.