Estimation of doses received by patients undergoing radiological examinations in Greece

This study deals with the estimation of doses received by patients undergoing radiological examinations in order to establish diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) within the process of optimisation of patients' exposure in Greece. Six large hospitals in Athens were selected and 385 patients made up the sample. The entrance surface doses (ESDs) to patients undertaking five common X ray examinations (chest, cervical spine, lumbar spine AP and LAT, pelvis) were estimated using both thermoluminescence dosemeters (TLDs) attached to the patient's skin and an ionisation chamber for air kerma measurements. Exposure settings and patient's data were recorded. Results concerning the kilovoltage and focus-to-film-distance (FFD) settings and the ESD values were analysed and compared to those recommended by the EU. Discrepancies in the patient doses and techniques used for the examinations studied were found among the different hospitals denoting the importance of establishing a national quality assurance programme and examination protocols to ensure patient doses are kept as low as possible. All the examinations studied fulfilled the EU recommendations except that for the chest where the doses were considerably higher due to the use of low kVP settings.