Mathematical Evaluation of Entrance Surface Dose (ESD) for Patients Examined by Diagnostic X-Rays

Abstract

Exposures from diagnostic medical X-rays are the most important synthetic source of exposure to ionizing radiation in several countries. However information on medical exposure of diagnostic X-rays is integrated into international legislative repertories. In Sebha city, there is a lack of data on the assessment of patient’s entrance surface dose (ESD) and the health risk from conventional radiography in daily routine of diagnostic medical examinations. In this research, the Entrance Surface Dose (ESD) was estimated for adult patients underwent diagnosis X-ray examinations in one of radiographic center in Sebha city. The ESD has been estimated indirectly using exposure factors for patents. The results showed that the mean patient entrance surface doses (ESD) were 41.73±5.84 mGy, 7.43±2.58 mGy, 103.7±125.53 mGy, 7.25±4.32 mGy and 11.24±16.18 mGy respectively for Pelvis (AP), Chest (AP), Lumbar Spine (AP), Cervical Spine (AP) and Skull (AP). The mean ESD values are found to be higher than mean ESD reference values. This indicates that the necessity for reducing the patient doses to the acceptable levels recommended by the international radiation protection commissions to protect patients from risk of higher exposures to diagnostic X-rays.