Dose estimation of selected abdominal and pelvic organs during conventional x-ray examination at selected health care centres in plateau state, nigeria

The increasing use of X-ray procedure in the field of human medicine has made dosimetric evaluation and optimization of these procedures an important consideration. There is an ongoing effort to minimize dose to patient without compromising diagnostic information from such a procedure. A dose of a radiation is not only dependent on the type of radiation, imaging modality and distance from the source, but also the radiosensitivity of the organ or cell. This study aims to estimate the absorbed doses to selected organs of the abdominal and pelvic cavity. The materials that were used in the study include body phantom, thermoluminescent dosimeter, measuring cylinder, Digital Electronic Weighing Scale, glycerine and water. In the study, absorbed doses to the ovary uterus, prostrate, liver, and kidney where measured by the used of the TLD chips. The chips were placed inside the phantom probe holes (inserts). These inserts contained a water-glycerine solution having density equivalent to each organ considered for dose measurement. Exposed TLDs were read by a manual TLD reader. The results shows the mean dose to the ovary at health Centre H.1, and H.2 are 0.39mGy, and 0.44mGy respectively. For the uterus the result obtained were 0.40mGy, and 0.29mGy across health Centre H.1, and H.2, Mean organ dose to the prostrate was 0.39mGy, and 0.44mGy. The liver has 0.33mGy, and 0.33mGy. Lastly organ dose to the kidney was measured and the following results were obtained: 0.45mGy and 0.49mGy across Heath Center H.1 and H.2 respectively. These results were compared with similar available literatures in order to see level of coherence. Similarly, results were compared with reference levels established by national and international studies in order to see to have exceeded the established benchmark. Even though in this study, the mean dose to the abdominopelvic organs is much lower than established reference levels, there appear to be discrepancy in the organs absorbed doses. Thus, I will recommend that more of such study be carried out particularly in north central Nigeria as results such a study can be used in establishing of local, regional or even national reference level in this region.