Patient's effective dose and performance assessment of computed radiography systems.

Computed tomography is widely used for planar imaging. Previous studies showed that CR systems involve higher patient radiation doses compared to digital systems. Therefore, assessing the patient's dose and CR system performance is necessary to ensure that patients received minimal dose with the highest possible image quality.

Typical effective dose values from diagnostic and interventional radiology.

Effective dose (E) in medical procedures is of practical value for comparing doses from different types of procedures which is not possible with the different measurable dose quantities. In this survey we estimated and compared the values of E in 12 medical imaging procedures. The mean E for conventional X-ray in mSv were ranged between 0.

Safety Culture: A Retrospective Analysis of Occupational Health and Safety Mining Reports.

Background: In the mining industry, various methods of accident analysis have utilized official accident investigations to try and establish broader causation mechanisms. An emerging area of interest is identifying the extent to which cultural influences, such as safety culture, are acting as drivers in the reoccurrence of accidents. Thus, the overall objective of this study was to analyze occupational health and safety (OHS) reports in mining to investigate if/how safety culture has historically been framed in the mining industry, as it relates to accident causation.

Development of a computational tool for estimating computed tomography dose parameters.

Background: Computed Tomographic (CT) imaging procedures have been reported as the main source of radiation in diagnostic procedures compared to other modalities. To provide the optimal quality of CT images at the minimum radiation risk to the patient, periodic inspections and calibration tests for CT equipment are required. These tests involve a series of measurements that are time consuming and may require specific skills and highly-trained personnel.

PROPOSED NATIONAL DIAGNOSTIC REFERENCE LEVELS FOR STANDARD RADIOGRAPHIC X-RAY PROCEDURES IN SUDAN.

This study aimed to calculate patient radiation doses for adults during the seven most commonly performed conventional X-ray procedures, and to propose national diagnostic reference levels (DRLs). A representative sample of patients from 29 hospitals was included. The entrance surface air kerma (ESAK) was calculated by measuring X-ray tube output and the corresponding technical and exposure factors for each patient.

Radiologists' Knowledge and Attitudes towards CT Radiation Dose and Exposure in Saudi Arabia-A Survey Study.

Computed tomography (CT) is a key imaging technique in diagnostic radiology, providing highly sensitive and specific information. While its use has increased dramatically in recent years, the quantity and associated risks of radiation from CT scans present major challenges, particularly in paediatrics. The fundamental principles of radiation protection require that radiation quantities be as low as reasonably achievable and CT use must be justified, particularly for paediatric patients.

A comparison of consumer-grade electronic radon monitors.

Radon is a radioactive gas which is naturally occurring in soil and can accumulate to concentrated levels inside homes and buildings. Exposure to elevated levels of radon leads to an increased risk of developing lung cancer. In recent years there has been a rise in the popularity of consumer-grade electronic radon monitors.

RADIATION PROTECTION IN THE RELEASE OF PATIENTS RECEIVING 131I TREATMENT.

Radiation measurements were made to support radiation protection decisions and instructions concerning the release of patients receiving 131I treatment in Sudan. In hyperthyroidism, administered activity ranged from 370 to 1110 MBq (average: 817.8 MBq), and air-absorbed dose rate at 1 m in front of the patients varied from 20 to 66 μGy h-1 (average: 47.

Estimates of Patient Radiation Doses in Digital Radiography Using DICOM Information at a Large Teaching Hospital in Oman.

In this study, we sought to estimate the patient radiation doses in the digital radiography X-ray examinations conducted in a large hospital. The patient exposure factors and kerma-area product (P) were retrospectively recorded via the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) header for 547 patients. The entrance surface air kerma (ESAK) was estimated from the measurements of the X-ray tube output and recorded exposure factors, as well as from the console that displayed P as an alternative method.

RADIATION DOSE DETERMINATION IN ABDOMINAL CT EXAMINATIONS OF CHILDREN AT SUDANESE HOSPITALS USING SIZE-SPECIFIC DOSE ESTIMATES.

In this study, we thought to estimate the radiation exposure of children undergoing multi-detector CT examinations using size-specific dose estimates (SSDE). Console-displayed volume computed tomography dose index (CTDIvol) were recorded for a total of 78 paediatric abdominal CT examinations performed in six hospitals. Measurements of the patient diameters were taken from the mid-slice location on the transverse and scout CT images.

Quality control in dual head gamma-cameras: Comparison between methods and software used for image analysis.

Patient radiation dose and image quality are primary issues in the conduct of nuclear medicine (NM) procedures. A range of protocols are currently used in image acquisition and analysis of quality control (QC) tests, with National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) methods and protocols widely accepted in providing an accurate description, measurement and report of γ-camera performance parameters. However, no standard software is available for image analysis.

Radiation Dose Associated with Multi-Detector 64-Slice Computed Tomography Brain Examinations in Khartoum State, Sudan.

Background: Radiation exposure due to computed tomography (CT) has become an important issue, as the number of CT examinations has been increasing worldwide. Radiation doses associated with CT are higher in comparison to other imaging procedures. CT-related radiation doses should be monitored and controlled in order to ensure reduction of radiation exposure and optimization of image quality.

Patient radiation doses in intraoral and panoramic X-ray examinations in Sudan.

Radiation doses were measured for the first time in intraoral and panoramic dental radiology at Sudanese hospitals. Doses were determined using various exposure settings for adults and children in 8 intraoral and 6 panoramic X-ray devices. The study sample was equally divided between devices using a digital image receptor (DR) and those using conventional screen film (SF).

Multi-slice CT examinations of adult patients at Sudanese hospitals: radiation exposure based on size-specific dose estimates (SSDE).

The aim of this study was to update the radiation exposure for adult patients undergoing multi-slice CT (MSCT) examinations using size-specific dose estimates (SSDE). Console, displayed CTDI and scan parameters were retrospectively recorded for 423 adult patients in seven Sudanese hospitals. Patient torso diameters were measured using digital calipers on the scanner console.

PEDIATRIC RADIATION DOSE DURING CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION PROCEDURES IN SUDAN.

Children are more radio sensitive than adult. This study aims to assess radiation doses and the associated hazards to pediatric during cardiac catheterization procedures. Radiation dose for 112 patients was estimated in the biggest cardiac center in Sudan.

A comparative study of adult patient doses in film screen and computed radiography in some Sudanese hospitals.

A study was performed to compare adult patient doses in film screen (FS) and computed radiography (CR) diagnostic X-ray examinations in some hospitals in Sudan over a period of 1 y; during this period of time, the CR systems were introduced to replace FS systems. Radiation doses were estimated for 354 patients in five hospitals (two FS units and three CR units). Entrance surface air kerma (ESAK) was estimated from incident air kerma using patient exposure parameters and tube output.

Performance evaluation of two computed radiography systems and patient dose in pelvic examination.

This study was carried out to evaluate the performance of two computed radiography (CR) units. These evaluations became necessary following the introduction of CR systems in Sudan. Evaluation of the CR systems was performed using physical image quality parameters: signal transfer property, modulation transfer function, normalised noise power spectrum, detective quantum efficiency and the subjective contrast detail detectability.

Examination frequency and population dose from medical X-ray examinations in Sudan in 2010.

This study was performed to estimate examination frequency and collective and per caput effective doses arising from medical X-ray procedures in Sudan, 2010. Information was collected from 30 hospitals performing radiography, computed tomography (CT), fluoroscopy and interventional radiology (IR) procedures. The estimated annual number of examinations was 33 million radiographic X-ray procedures (99 %), 0.

Evaluation of occupational and patient radiation doses in orthopedic surgery.

This study intends to measure the radiation dose to patients and staff during (i) Dynamic Hip Screw (DHS) and (ii) Dynamic Cannula Screw (DCS) and to evaluate entrance surface Air kerma (ESAK) dose and organ doses and effective doses. Calibrated Thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLD-GR200A) were used. The mean patients' doses were 0.

Radiation exposure during paediatric CT in Sudan: CT dose, organ and effective doses.

The purpose of this study was to assess the magnitude of radiation exposure during paediatric CT in Sudanese hospitals. Doses were determined from CT acquisition parameters using CT-Expo 2.1 dosimetry software.

Patient doses in interventional cardiology procedures in Sudan.

Radiation doses delivered to 461 patients were measured during the period of 12 months in a hospital in Khartoum, Sudan. Kerma Area Product, Cumulative Kerma and fluoroscopy time were registered during four selected procedures, namely coronary angiography (CA), percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy (PTMC) and pacemaker. For CA, PTCA, PTMC and pacemaker the mean and median kerma area product values in gray centimeter square were found to be (20, 17.

Equipment performance and radiation protection status in X-ray fluoroscopy units in Sudan.

The number of fluoroscopy and fluoroscopically guided procedures has been substantially growing in developing countries at the same time advanced and sophisticated equipment are used in some hospitals. However, radiation protection requirements are not necessarily well adopted. In this study nine fluoroscopy X-ray units in Sudan were examined for compliance with international standards.

Survey of computed tomography technique and radiation dose in Sudanese hospitals.

The purpose of this study was to survey technique and radiation absorbed dose in CT examinations of adult in Sudan and to compare the results with the reference dose levels. Questionnaire forms were completed in nine hospitals and a sample of 445 CT examinations in patients. Information on patient, procedure, scanner, and technique for common CT examinations were collected.

Radiation doses from some common paediatric X-ray examinations in Sudan.

Radiation doses to patients from some common paediatric X-ray examinations were studied in three hospitals in Khartoum state, Sudan. Entrance surface dose (ESD) was determined from exposure settings using DosCal software. Totally, 459 patients were included in this study.

Entrance surface doses to patients undergoing selected diagnostic X-ray examinations in Sudan.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the entrance surface doses (ESDs) to patients undergoing selected diagnostic X-ray examinations in major Sudanese hospitals. ESD per examination was estimated from X-ray tube output parameters in four hospitals comprising eight X-ray units and a sample of 346 radiographs. Hospital mean ESDs estimated range from 0.