Diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for routine X-ray examinations in Lorestan province, Iran

Background : In diagnosc radiology there are two reasons for measuring or esmang radiaon doses to paents. Firstly measure ments provide a means for seng and checking standards of good pracce as an aid to the opmizaon of paent protecon. Secondly esmates o f the absorbed dose to ssue and organs in the paents. Materials and Methods: A total of 2382 paents were studied to calculate the Entrance Surface Air Kerma (ESAK) following seven radiographic examinaons including: chest (PA, Lat), lumbar spines (AP, Lat), pelvis (AP), abdomen (AP), skull (PA, Lat), thoracic spine (AP, Lat) and cervical spines (AP, Lat). The ESAKs values were measured according to x- ray tube output, opmized exposure parameters and body thickness (t p) for each technique. Results: The parameters such as, 1 st quarle, mean, median, 3 rd quarle, minimum, maximum and standard deviaon of each ESAK values are reported and compared to NRPB guide levels. The results showed that the ESAK s values in the lumbar spines and chest X-ray examinaons were 30% above the guide levels. However, for the pelvis (AP), skull (PA) and abdomen (AP) examinaons, these values were below than those reported by the NRPB. Conclusion: Periodic quality control and monitoring the technical performance of radiographers might effecvely improve the image quality and eventually reducing the dose received by paents.