Radiation protection for caregivers in projection X-ray imaging
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Date
2023-12
Authors
Μαρκάτου, Μαίρη
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Abstract
In pediatric radiography, immobilization of infants is crucial for the avoidance of unnecessary
patient doses. Physical holding by caregivers has proven to be highly effective and is commonly
used. This study aimed to quantify the caregiver's exposure to scatter radiation while
immobilizing a pediatric patient during a chest X-ray. The main objective was to measure the
scatter radiation dose at different heights with respect to the floor or patient table at two usual
locations where a caregiver may stand. An AGFA DX-D 600 X-ray was used, and a PMMA
phantom was irradiated on the examination table. An RTI survey meter was fixed at four
different points corresponding to the gonadal and thyroid gland areas of an adult caregiver:
laterally from the phantom, 0.5 m away from the central beam, at 0.8 and 1.5 m heights with
respect to the floor, and cranially, 0.4 m away from the central beam, at 0.05 m and 0.6 m
heights from the patient table. The phantom was exposed at 65 kVp, 75 kVp, 85 kVp, and 95
kVp at a constant tube current-exposure time product of 2 mAs with a SID of 110 cm. The
highest scatter radiation dose, 0.58 μGy, was recorded in the cranial position at 0.6 m height
from the table for 95 kVp. This value is far below the dose constraints for caregivers, as
recommended by the ICRP. However, the LNT model suggests that even the smallest dose could
cause cancer, so measures should be taken to maintain the scatter radiation dose as low as
reasonably achievable (ALARA), such as lead aprons or selection of the lateral position when
possible.
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Keywords
Pediatric radiology, Chest X-ray, Caregivers, Scatter radiation dose, Radiation protection