Investigating the adjacent patient radiation dose received during a simulated ward chest X-ray examination

Journal article

Langfield, H and Lockwood, P. 2023. Investigating the adjacent patient radiation dose received during a simulated ward chest X-ray examination. Radiography Open. 9 (1), pp. 1-14. https://doi.org/10.7577/radopen.5354

Publication dates
Authors	Langfield, H and Lockwood, P.
Abstract	Introduction: A patient having a chest X-ray will inevitably be exposed to radiation from the primary beam. Using a light beam diaphragm (LBD) on the X-ray tube reduces scattered radiation at the X-ray tube through longitudinal and horizontal collimation. But not scattered secondary radiation resulting from interactions of the primary beam. This study aimed to investigate whether lead protection on simulated hospital ward inpatients (opposite and adjacent to a simulated chest X-ray examination) would change the secondary scattered radiation dose received. Method: Two rando phantoms (simulated patients) were positioned at different distances from the simulated patient receiving the chest X-ray. The phantoms were positioned one metre adjacent (either side of the phantom being X-rayed) and two metres opposite. The scattered radiation dose to radiosensitive organs (thyroid, breast, and gonads) was recorded using Thermoluminescent Dosimeters (TLDs). Six exposures were conducted, three with lead protection and three without. The mean radiation dose and standard deviation were compared using a paired two-sample t-test for statistical significance (p>0.05). Results: The lead protection reduced the radiation dose to the radiosensitive organs by 64%-100% (p=0.51-0.18) one metre adjacent and 65%-100% (p=0.65-0.18) two metres opposite. Noticeably the phantom two metres opposite had substantial individual organ dose reductions due to the distance from the primary beam. Conclusion: Lead aprons, thyroid collars, and distance reduced the radiation dose to the radiosensitive organs of the surrounding phantoms (simulated patients) from an adjacent chest X-ray examination and present opportunities for dose reduction techniques during ward chest X-ray examinations.
Keywords	Chest x-ray; Dose; Radiation; Radiography
Year	2023
Journal	Radiography Open
Journal citation	9 (1), pp. 1-14
Publisher	Oslo Met
ISSN	2387-3345
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)	https://doi.org/10.7577/radopen.5354
Official URL	https://journals.oslomet.no/index.php/radopen/article/view/5354/4625
Print	26 Jul 2023
Publication process dates
Accepted	13 Jun 2023
Deposited	27 Jul 2023
Accepted author manuscript	File Access Level Restricted
Publisher's version	5354-ny-template (1).pdf License CC BY 4.0 File Access Level Open
Output status	Published
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