Patient Radiation Dose Assessment in Routine Pelvic X-Ray Examination in Selected Hospitals in Khartoum State

The aim of this study was to assess patient doses for pelvic x-ray examination being conducted at selected diagnostic centers in Khartoum state, Sudan. Dose was calculated on 122 patients (70 male, 52 female). ages between 18 to 86 years. The Entrance Surface Dose (ESD) was determined by an indirect method, using the patients anthropometric data (age, gender) and exposure factors (kVp, mAs) utilized for the specific examination. To generate the ESD values excel was used. There were variations in the technique factors used in all the centers. The average in all selected hospitals recorded lower ESD values below IAEA recommended diagnostic reference levels (10 mGy) and the average of ESDs of the all hospitals exceeded the UK national reference value (4mGy). The variations in ESD found among diagnostic centers in this survey showed that there was a need to standardize radiological techniques of pelvis X-ray examination among different diagnostic centers in Khartoum State. This would ensure optimal protection of patient against excessive radiation dose as protecting the gonads of patients is of particular importance during x-ray diagnostic imaging of the pelvis, since evidences suggest that x-ray could cause direct damage to the gonads which results in mutation so the effective way of reducing dose to patients reproductive organs and reduce the risk of genetic effects in the future generation is gonad shielding during x-ray procedure. This work has therefore provided a baseline against which further dose measurement could be compared. It could also help increase staff awareness to patients radiation dose levels and adjustment of such dose levels where necessary leading to reduction in patient dose.