STUDIES ON OPTIMIZATION TO MEDICAL RADIATION CONTROL SKlN DOSE BY X-RAY CHEST RADIOGRAPH CONDITIONS

Abstract

Among the methods for radiological diagnosis, chest radiography is most frequently employed. Exposure of patients to radiation during the taking of chest X-ray photographs was therefore surveyed. Questionnaires were sent to 835 institutions with an abundant experience in chest radiography such as health centers, national hospitals and national sanatoriums all over Japan that are using X-ray photographs for diagnostic use (1984). The skin dose was calculated by the IPH-bit system from the technical factors for exposing of radiography and various items required for radiography stated in the answers from each institution. As a result, the skin surface radiation dose of the patients subjected to single chest radiography averaged 25.8mrem, ranging between the minimum of 2 mrem to the maximum of 120mrem, with about a 60-fold difference being seen in the values. In order to decrease and optimize the medical radiation exposure, exposure factors. apparatus and materials for radiography production such a wide difference should be closely examined with their improvements being attenpted improved.