Abstract
X-ray densitometers expose patients to extremely small amounts of radiation in comparison to plain X-ray techniques. These amounts are often so small that they are biologically insignificant. Similarly, the technologist operating an X-ray densitometer on a regular basis is extremely unlikely to be exposed to a significant amount of radiation. Nevertheless, no amount of radiation should be considered inconsequential. The principle of “as low as reasonably achievable” (ALARA) should always be given the highest priority in the operation of these devices.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Notes
- 1.
The system of units known as Le Systeme International d’Unites, or SI, and considered the preferred method of expressing scientific quantities.
- 2.
The gray is named for Louis Gray (1905–1965), one of the creators of the Bragg–Gray theory used in radiation therapy.
- 3.
The Sievert is named for a Swedish scientist who was a member of the International Committee on Radiation Protection.
- 4.
See Chap. 7 for a discussion of precision in bone densitometry.
- 5.
See Chap. 2 for a discussion of pencil-beam versus fan-array DXA scanners.
- 6.
See Chap. 3 for a discussion of skeletal anatomy and identification of the vertebrae.
- 7.
See Chap. 13 for a discussion of VFA.
- 8.
See Chap. 7 for a discussion of issues surrounding precision and the timing of repeat measurements.
References
Bushong SC. Concepts of radiation. In: Bushong SC, editor. Radiologic science for technologists. St. Louise, MO: Mosby; 1993. p. 3–17.
Protection. In: Curry TS, Dowdey JE, and Murry RC, eds. Christensen’s Physics of Diagnostic Radiology. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger,1990:372–391.
National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements. Ionizing radiation exposure of the population of the United States. NCRP Report No. 93. NCRP Publications, Bethesda, MD, 1993.
ICRP. The 2007 recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection. ICRP Publication 103. Ann ICRP 2007;37:2–4.
ICRP. Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection. ICRP publication 60. Ann ICCRP. 1991;21:1–3.
Information on file. Alara, Inc., 2545 Barrington Court, Hayward, CA 94545.
Bushong SC. Early effects of radiation. In: Bushong SC, editor. Radiologic science for technologists. St. Louise, MO: Mosby; 1993. p. 559–76.
Kalendar WA. Effective dose values in bone mineral measurements by photon absorptiometry and computed tomography. Osteoporos Int. 1992;2:82–7.
Njeh CR, Fuerst T, Hans D, Blake GM, Genant HK. Radiation exposure in bone mineral density assessment. Appl Radiat Isot. 1999;50:215–36.
Lewis MD, Blake GM, Fogelman I. Patient dose in dual X-ray absorptiometry. Osteoporos Int. 1994;1:11–5.
Patel R, Lewis MD, Blake GM, Batchelor S, et al. New generation DXA scanners increase dose to patient and staff, in Current Research in Osteoporosis and Bone Mineral Measurement IV. London:British Institute of Radiology, 1996:99
National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements. Limitations of exposure to ionizing radiation. NCRP Report No. 116. Bethesda, MD:NCRP Publications, 1993
Lloyd T, Eggli DF, Miller KL, Eggli KD, Dodson WC. Radiation dose from DXA scanning to reproductive tissues of females. J Clin Densitom. 1998;1:379–83.
Patel R, Blake GM, Batchelor S, Fogelman I. Occupational dose to the radiographer in dual X-ray absorptiometry: a comparison of pencil-beam and fan-beam systems. Br J Radiol. 1996;69:539–43.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Bonnick, S.L., Lewis, L.A. (2013). Radiation Safety in X-Ray Densitometry. In: Bone Densitometry for Technologists. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3625-6_5
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3625-6_5
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-3624-9
Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-3625-6
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)