Evaluation of Patient Radiation Dose from Skull X–Ray Diagnostic Examinations in Some Nigerian Health Facilities

Abstract

The use of ionizing radiation in diagnostic examinations can pose a health risk to the patient if it is not properly managed. Although ionizing radiation has many beneficial applications it has to be optimized. In this study, the patient doses in the radiographic examination of skulls in ten health facilities in Nigeria were assessed. A total of 140 adult patients comprised of 80 males and 60 females with age ranges from 30 years to 46 years who underwent skull x-ray examinations were considered in the study. The entrance dose air kerma (ESAK) was calculated using the patient's anatomical data and exposure parameters used during specific examinations.   The mean value of ESAK ranged from 0.88 mGy to 6.42 mGy for skull AP/PA and ranged from 1.07 mGy to 4.61 mGy for skull LAT. The result obtained shows a significant variation of the ESAK values within the same health facility and among the various facilities. A comparison of the results obtained in this study, with published international established reference levels (DRLs) shows that 50% of the health facilities have higher dose values in skull AP/PA.