ESTABLISHMENT OF LOCAL DIAGNOSTIC REFERENCE LEVELS (DRLS) FOR RADIOGRAPHY EXAMINATIONS IN NORTH EASTERN NIGERIA

Authors

  • D.Z. Joseph Radiation and Medical Physics, Radiology Department, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, Bauchi State,
  • C.N. Christian Nuclear and Radiation Physics, Department of Radiography and Radiological Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.
  • S.U. Mohammed Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Kano State, Nigeria.
  • P.O. Ameh Radiology Department, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria.
  • G. Njoku Radiology Department, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria.
  • F.D. Malgwi Department of Medical Radiography, University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.
  • A.S. Moi Department of Medical Radiography, University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.
  • S.L. Shem Clinical Radiographer, Radiology Department, State Specialist Hospital, Gombe, Nigeria.

Abstract

Diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) is an essential optimization tool in radiography and radiological sciences. The objective of the study is to establish DRL for radiography examinations in north eastern Nigeria. A Prospective cross- sectional study conducted in two university teaching hospitals in north eastern Nigeria. Seven hundred and fifty (750) patients were considered for the study. Thermoluminiscent dosimeter (TLD) chips were exposed for each examination. Pearson’s correlation was used to determine the relationship between the dose and anthropotechnical parameters. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05. The DRL for PA chest x-ray and lateral were 0.59 mGy and 1.02 mGy, PA skull x-ray and lateral skull x-ray were 1.02 mGy and 1.01 mGy. The DRL for PA elbow and lateral elbow are 0.57 mGy and 1.77mGy. AP shoulder x-ray and lateral were 0.71 mGy and 0.83 mGy The DRL for dorsi-plantar foot and dorsi-plantar oblique foot were 0.58 mGy and 0.61 mGy .AP dorsal spine x-ray and lateral dorsal spine are 1.03 mGy and 1.09 mGy. AP cervical spine and lateral were 0.62 mGy and0.79 mGy. Lumbosacral spine AP and lateral was 1.22 mGy and 1.59 mGy. AP wrist, lateral wrist, AP knee, lateral knee, Abdominal x-ray, pelvic x-ray, hand dorsi-palmar ,hand dorsi-palmar oblique and dental x-ray were 0.52mGy,0.87mGy, 0.50mGy, 0.50 mGy, 0.91 mGy, 1.01 mGy, 0.82 mGy,0.28 mGy, 0.83 mGy and 0.46 mGy respectively. DRLs in this work recorded lower values compared to international established work. Regular dose optimization etiquette’s are required to ensure good practice.

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Published

2017-12-31

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 4 (2017)

Section

ARTICLES