Patient effective dose evaluation for chest X-ray examination in three digital radiography centers

Background: The radiation doses resulting from diagnostic X-ray examinations are routinely measured in terms of entrance surface dose (ESD) and effective dose (ED). In this study, for the purpose of radiation protection, the radiation doses received from Digital chest X-ray examination were evaluated in terms of ESD and ED. Material and Methods: The ED was calculated by using the MCNP Monte Carlo code and an adult hermaphrodite mathematical phantom. The effects of both operating high voltage and projection geometry on the effective dose were investigated. The absolute values of the ED were calculated for digital and conventional Posterior-Anterior (PA) and Lateral (LAT) projections of chest radiography. Results: The results show ED for PA projection in digital chest radiography in some major hospitals is higher than National Diagnostic Reference Level (NDRL). Conclusion: Therefore optimization process should be considered seriously at national level to reduce patient exposure in digital chest radiography in Iran. Iran. J. Radiat. Res., 2012 10(3‐4): 139‐143