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Estimation of dose to the unborn child at diagnostic X-ray examinations based on data registered in RIS/PACS

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Abstract

The aim of this work was to determine mean absorbed doses to the unborn child in common conventional X-ray and computed tomography (CT) examinations and to find an approach for estimating foetal dose based on data registered in the Radiological Information System/Picture Archive and Communication System (RIS/PACS). The kerma-area product (KAP) and CT dose index (CTDIvol) in common examinations were registered using a human-shaped female dosimetry phantom. Foetal doses, Df, were measured using thermoluminescent dosimeters placed inside the phantom and compared with calculated values. Measured foetal doses were given in relation to the KAP and the CTDIvol values, respectively. Conversion factor Df/KAP varies between 0.01 and 3.8 mGy/Gycm2, depending on primary beam position, foetus age and beam quality (tube voltage and filtration). Conversion factors Df/CTDIvol are in the range 0.02 – 1.2 mGy/mGy, in which the foetus is outside or within the primary beam. We conclude that dose conversion factors based on KAP or CTDIvol values automatically generated by the RIS/PACS system can be used for rapid estimations of foetal dose for common examination techniques.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by The Radiation Protection Authority grant SSI P 1114.98. The contributions of Torsten Cederlund (Swedish Radiation Protection Authority) and Prof. Gudrun Alm Carlsson for their support and valuable comments on this work are acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Ryhov County Hospital, SE-551 85, Jönköping, Sweden

    Ebba Helmrot

  2. Department of Radiation Physics, Faculty of Health Sciences and the University Hospital, SE-581 85, Linköping, Sweden

    Håkan Pettersson, Michael Sandborg & Jonas Nilsson Altén

Authors
  1. Ebba Helmrot
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  2. Håkan Pettersson
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  3. Michael Sandborg
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  4. Jonas Nilsson Altén
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Correspondence to Ebba Helmrot.

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Ethical Committee: No patients were involved in this study.

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Helmrot, E., Pettersson, H., Sandborg, M. et al. Estimation of dose to the unborn child at diagnostic X-ray examinations based on data registered in RIS/PACS. Eur Radiol 17, 205–209 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-006-0286-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-006-0286-2

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