ACCURACY OF X-RAY EXPOSURE PARAMETERS IN SOME RADIO-DIAGNOSTIC CENTRES IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Dose levels in radio-diagnostic settings depend largely on equipment status and examination techniques. It is essential to carry out quality control (QC) on the x-ray systems to ensure proper optimization and the maintenance of quality for better diagnostic outcome, and to avoid the risk of injury.
Objective: To carryout QC for the assessment of the accuracy of exposure parameters for the purpose of optimization of radiation protection.
Methodology: Quality control measurements including tube output, kVp, mA and timer accuracy, linearity and reproducibility were carried out using a multi-function quality control kit, RMI, 181B and measuring tape.
Results: The results of these measurements indicate that the tube output of the machines within the kVp range of 60 to 120 falls between 13.52 x 10-3 and 161.26 x 10-3 with a linear relationship between the kVp and tube output in all the hospitals. It also showed exposure parameters’ operation to be within tolerance limits except in a single hospital with aspects of out-of-range performance.
Conclusion: All equipment under study functioned within safe limits but further investigation and corrective action is required in one of the centres.
Downloads
Article Details
Section
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
All articles in JRRS are published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). This permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
How to Cite
References
Hart D, Wall BF. Radiation exposure of the UK population from medical and dental X-ray exposures. Didcot, UK: National Radiation Protection Board; 2002. NRPB Report NRPB-W4.
Linet MS, Slovis TL, Miller DL, Kleinerman R, Lee C, Rajaraman P, Dehorizakz AB. Cancer risk associated with external radiation from diagnostic imaging. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 2012; 62(2): 75–100.
Ajayi IR, Akinwumiju A. Measurement of entrance surface dose to patients in four common diagnostic examinations by thermoluminescence dosimetry in Nigeria. Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 2000; 87: 217–220.
International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). Radiation protection and safety in medicine. Annals of the ICRP, 1996; 26(2). Oxford: Pergamon Press.
Elegba SB. Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) in diagnostic and interventional radiology. Keynote address delivered at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria; 2006.
Mehrdad G, Fataneh N, Vahid K. Evaluation of conventional X-ray exposure parameters including tube voltage and exposure time in private and governmental hospitals of Lorestan Province, Iran. Iranian Journal of Medical Physics, 2015; 12(2): 85–92.
Tran NT, Limoto T, Ksako T. Calibration of kVp meters used in quality assurance tests of diagnostic X-ray units. Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 2012; 148: 352–357.
Akpochafor MA, Omojola AD, Adeneye SO, Aweda MA, Ajayi SB. Determination of reference dose levels among selected X-ray centres in Lagos State, South-West Nigeria. Journal of Clinical Sciences, 2016; 13: 167–172.
Winston JP, Karen B, Linda P. Patient exposure and dose guide. Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors (CRCPD); 2003. Publication E-03-22.
Kwang-Hoong NG, Rassiah P, Wang HB, Hambat AS, Muthurelu P, Lee AP. Dose to patients in routine X-ray examinations in Malaysia. British Journal of Radiology, 1998; 71: 654–660.
Ofori EK, Antwi WK, Scutt DN, Ward M. Patient radiation dose assessment in pelvic X-ray examination in Ghana. OMICS Journal of Radiology, 2013; 2:151. doi:10.4172/2167-7964.1000151.
Oluwafisoye PA, Olowookere CJ, Jibiri NN, Bello TO, Alausa SK, Efunwole HO. Quality control and environmental assessment of equipment used in diagnostic radiology. International Journal of Research and Reviews in Applied Sciences, 2010; 3(2): 148–158.
American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM). Quality assurance in radiology. AAPM Report; 2002.
Zoetelief J, Van Soldt RTM, Silliman II, Jansen JTM, Bosmans H. Quality control of equipment used in digital and interventional radiology. Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 2006; 117(1–3): 277–282.
Akaagerger NB, Agba EH, Ige TA. Diagnostic X-ray machine quality control parameter analyses in some major hospitals in Benue State, Nigeria. International Journal of Research, 2016; 13(12): 834–842.
Rady Azzoz KM, ElShahat RAM. Evaluation of quality control systems for X-ray machines at different hospitals using patient radiological dose assessment technology. IOSR Journal of Applied Physics, 2014; 6(5): 29–34.