Valuation of Radiation Dose in Lumbosacral Examination

The biological damage produce by radiation is closely related to the amount of energy absorbed in the case of x-rays. Measurement of produced ionizing is provided a useful assessment of the total energy absorbed. This study was performed in Khartoum teaching hospital in period of January to June 2014. This study performed to assess the effective dose (ED) received in lumbosacral radiographic examination and to analyze effective dose distributions among radiological departments under study. The study was performed in Khartoum teaching hospital, covering two x-ray units and a sample of 50 patients. The following parameters were recorded age, weight, height, body mass index (BMI) derived from weight (kg) and (height (m)) and exposure factors. The dose was measured for lumbosacral x-rays examination. For effective dose calculation, the entrance surface dose (ESD) values were estimated from the x-ray tube output parameters for Lumbosacral Spine AP and lateral examinations. The ED values were then calculated from the obtained ESD values using IAEA calculation methods. Effective doses were then calculated from energy imparted using ED conversion factors proposed by IAEA. The results of ED values calculated showed that patient exposure were within the normal range of exposure. The mean ED values calculated were 2.49 + 0.03 and 5.60 + 0.22 for Lumbosacral Spine AP and lateral examinations, respectively. Further studies are recommended with more number of patients and using more two modalities for comparison.