Investigation of breast dose in five screening mammography centres in Greece.

The objectives of this study were to investigate the techniques currently used for screening mammography in Greece, to estimate the mean glandular dose (MGD) for establishing a baseline radiation dose database, to analyse the effects of various factors on MGD, and to compare the results with others in the literature. Five mammographic facilities and 250 women having as a routine screening mammogram one craniocaudal (CC) and one mediolateral oblique (MLO) projection in each breast were included in the study. The parameters recorded were age, weight, compressed breast thickness (CBT), tube potential (kV), tube loading (mA s) and MLO projection angle.

Estimation of radiation doses to patients and surgeons from various fluoroscopically guided orthopaedic surgeries.

In this study, a mathematical method was used to estimate the entrance surface dose (ESD) to the patient and the scattered dose (Ds) to the operating surgeon during various fluoroscopically guided surgical orthopaedic procedures. For 204 patients, the procedure type, the fluoroscopy time and the highest tube potential and current values observed during fluoroscopy were recorded. For the most often performed procedures (intramedullary nailing of peritrochanteric fractures, open reduction and internal fixation of malleolar fractures and intramedullary nailing of diaphyseal fractures of the femur), the respective mean fluoroscopy times were 3.

Radiation doses to patients undergoing standard radiographic examinations: a comparison between two methods.

The objective of the study was to derive a mathematical method for calculating the entrance surface dose (ESD) from exposure factors for all tube potentials used in clinical practice and to compare the calculated ESDs (ESD(C)) with those measured (ESD(TLD)) using thermoluminescent dosemeters (TLDs). The exposure parameters of 43 patients who underwent (a) posteroanterior (PA) and lateral (LAT) chest examination (13 patients), (b) supine abdomen (10 patients), (c) erectus abdomen (10 patients), or (d) urinary tract examination (10 patients) were recorded. Patient ESD was directly measured by TLDs and calculated from exposure factors.

Radiation doses to patients and cardiologists from permanent cardiac pacemaker implantation procedures.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the patient and cardiologist doses during the implantation of permanent cardiac pacemakers under fluoroscopic control.

Methods: For 55 procedures concerning three different types of pacemakers (DDD, VDD, and VVI), the dose-area product (DAP) meter readings and fluoroscopy times were recorded. From these data, the dose to the operating cardiologist was estimated.

Analysis of radiological examination request forms in conjunction with justification of X-ray exposures.

Objectives: To evaluate the adequacy of patient data and clinical information transmitted to the radiological departments by the referring clinicians in view of the justification demands concerning the radiological examinations, as those are described in the Radiation Protection Regulations of the European Union Nations.

Materials And Methods: Request forms for 1708 patients referred to radiology department and 410 referred to the CT department were evaluated concerning the proper completion of the form fields. Furthermore, for CT examinations a more detailed evaluation was carried out, to assess the rationalistic use of CT within the diagnostic algorithm.