Title: Predicted radiation dose and risk associated with pediatric diagnostic x‐ray procedures
Abstract:Risks from exposure to radiation are assessed by calculating individual tissue absorbed doses and subsequently determining the effective dose. The absorbed dose to specific tissues has traditionally b...Risks from exposure to radiation are assessed by calculating individual tissue absorbed doses and subsequently determining the effective dose. The absorbed dose to specific tissues has traditionally been difficult and time consuming to measure. This research describes a new methodology that permits rapid measurement of the effective dose and associated risks to pediatric patients for a variety of plain film diagnostic examinations. The methodology utilizes an anthropomorphic phantom of a one‐year‐old, incorporating direct reading MOSFET dosimetry that allows the rapid determination of absorbed dose to individual organs. The research integrated clinical examinations, dosimetry measurements, and BEIR V risk assessments for pediatric patients undergoing clinical radiology exams. Site surveys were performed at ten facilities using standardized exams to characterize variations in effective dose related to clinical practice and detailed quantitative studies for a variety of examinations were performed at Shands at UF. The effective dose for these procedures ranged from 0.1 mrem for an AP skull exam that utilized thyroid shielding, to 9.2 mrem for an AP upright abdomen exam. The relative leukemia carcinogenic risk ranged from 1.000 041 for the skull exam, to 1.002 732 for the abdomen exam, with corresponding excess risks from exams of 0.005 and 0.3 leukemias per year, respectively. These individual examinations provided a significant benefit to the patient with minimal risk. This dissertation provided the basis for continuing research to quantify long‐term risks, as well as providing a clinical tool to evaluate the effective dose delivered to pediatric patients from current and emerging radiology imaging modalities.Read More
Publication Year: 1999
Publication Date: 1999-06-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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