Evaluation of doses to patients in X-ray diagnostics in Poland

The study includes a detailed analysis of patients' exposure to ionising radiation resulting from diagnostic radiology in Poland. Data concerning the number and types of examinations were collected by wide-range questionnaire surveys conducted in 1986 and 1995. As the result, the number of examinations per 1000 inhabitants was found to be 572 in 1986 and 715 in 1995. Most of the examinations were the basic, conventional ones (mostly chest and spine radiography). A great part of this study includes detailed description of the methodology of evaluating doses received by patients from X-ray procedures. The theoretical Monte Carlo simulation with the original author's computer code was used for this purpose. As the result, the doses to patients in six age groups (< 1, 1-4, 5-9, 10-14, 15-19 and the adults) were estimated. In simulation process the examined persons were represented by the appropriate mathematical human phantoms. The doses from particular examinations performed in exposure conditions routinely used in Polish radiology departments are presented. The mean effective doses for adult patients from typical examinations are: 0.11 mSv from chest, 3.0 mSv from thoracic spine, and 4.3 mSv from L-S spine radiography. Significantly higher doses were received by patients undergoing fluoroscopy procedures: 23 mSv from barium enema and 14 mSv from the stomach examination. In conclusion, the estimated exposure levels in Poland are as follows: the average effective dose per examination: (1.4 +/- 0.6) mSv in 1986, (1.2 +/- 0.5) mSv in 1995, the average effective dose per capita: (0.8 +/- 0.3) mSv in 1986 and 1995.