Entrance skin dose on patients undergoing X-ray examinations at Yaba, Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

survey was conducted on the Entrance Skin Dose (ESD) in patients undergoing X-ray examinations [Skull Postero-Anterior (PA), Skull Lateral (LAT), Chest Postero-Anterior (PA), Chest Lateral (LAT), Abdomen Antero-Posterior (AP) and Pelvis Antero-Posterior (AP)] in five hospitals/Xray
centres in Yaba, Lagos State, Nigeria. A total of 258 patients were included in the survey. ESD data of each patient was generated using technical parameters and a Program and Effective Dose was then computed. Results showed that the mean ESD values obtained from this work; 2.41, 1.56, 3.48 and 3.04 mGy for Skull PA, Skull LAT, Abdomen AP and Pelvis AP examinations respectively were lower than the international reference dose values. However, the mean ESD values for Chest PA and Chest LAT examinations obtained from this study, which were 1.07 and 2.28 mGy respectively, were higher than the international reference dose values. The mean Effective Dose value obtained from this study for Chest PA examination was higher than the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) and Greek values.

Keywords: Entrance Skin Dose, X-ray examination, ionizing radiation, reference dose values