SOURCE:

Faculty: Health Sciences And Technology
Department: Radiology

CONTRIBUTORS:

Joseph, D. Z.
Nzotta, C. C

ABSTRACT:

This work is a prospective cross-sectional study carried out to establish DRLs for adult radiological procedures in some selected teaching hospitals in North Eastern Nigeria. A total 1080 patients were enlisted in this study, thirty patients each for 36 different procedures comprising of fourteen common radiographic and dental x-ray examinations, twelve contrast examinations, four mammography and six computed tomography examinations. Thermoluminiscent dosimeter chips and dose area product meter were used to obtain the dose values. Computed tomography dose index and dose length products were obtained from the computed tomography monitor. The DRL for posterior anterior (PA) chest and lateral x-ray obtained in this work were 0.59 mGy and 1.02 mGy, PA skull and lateral skull x-ray were 1.02 mGy and 1.01 mGy. The DRL for PA elbow and lateral elbow were 0.57 mGy and 1.77mGy. AP shoulder and lateral x-ray were 0.71 mGy and 0.83 mGy. The DRL for dorsi-plantar foot and dorsi-plantar oblique foot in this work were 0.58 mGy and 0.61 mGy .Dose values for contrast studieswere6.68mGy, 10.66mGy.cm2 for IVU, 2.31 mGy, 3.67mGy.cm2 for HSG, 2.66 mGy, 8.98mGy.cm2 for barium meal, 12.78 mGy, 20.64 mGy.cm2 for barium enema, 2.73 mGy and 6.56 mGy.cm2 for barium swallow and 2.05 mGy, 7.77 mGy.cm2 for RUG. Diagnostic reference levels for cranio-caudal and medio-lateral oblique were 0.63 and 1.04 mGy while CT head, chest and abdomen are67.90 mGy, 18.38 mGy and 19.20 mGy. This study has established DRLs in two teaching hospitals in North Eastern Nigeria which is useful for formulation of National DRLs.