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Updated: Aug 8, 2026

X-ray Dose Reduction through Adaptive Exposure in Fluoroscopic Imaging
08:30

X-ray Dose Reduction through Adaptive Exposure in Fluoroscopic Imaging

Published on: September 11, 2011

Estimation of dose to the unborn child at diagnostic X-ray examinations based on data registered in RIS/PACS

Ebba Helmrot1, Håkan Pettersson, Michael Sandborg

  • 1Department of Radiology, Ryhov County Hospital, SE-551 85 Jönköping, Sweden. ebba.helmrot@lj.se

European Radiology
|May 10, 2006
PubMed

Insights

This study determined fetal radiation doses from X-ray and CT scans using a phantom. Estimated fetal doses, based on Kerma-Area Product (KAP) and CT Dose Index (CTDIvol), can be rapidly calculated using RIS/PACS data.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Physics
  • Radiological Protection
  • Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

  • Accurate estimation of fetal absorbed doses during maternal radiological examinations is crucial for radiation protection.
  • Conventional methods for dose calculation can be complex and time-consuming.
  • Integrating dose estimation into Radiological Information System/Picture Archive and Communication System (RIS/PACS) offers a streamlined approach.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine mean absorbed doses to the unborn child in common X-ray and computed tomography (CT) examinations.
  • To develop an approach for estimating fetal dose using data from RIS/PACS.
  • To establish conversion factors relating measurable dose indices to fetal dose.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a human-shaped female dosimetry phantom for dose measurements.
  • Registered Kerma-Area Product (KAP) and CT Dose Index (CTDIvol) for standard examinations.
  • Measured fetal doses (D(f)) using thermoluminescent dosimeters within the phantom.
  • Compared measured fetal doses with calculated values and established dose conversion factors.

Main Results:

  • Conversion factors D(f)/KAP ranged from 0.01 to 3.8 mGy/Gycm², varying with beam position, fetal age, and beam quality.
  • Conversion factors D(f)/CTDIvol ranged from 0.02 to 1.2 mGy/mGy, depending on fetal position relative to the primary beam.
  • Demonstrated that dose conversion factors derived from KAP and CTDIvol are suitable for rapid fetal dose estimation.

Conclusions:

  • Dose conversion factors based on KAP or CTDIvol values, automatically generated by RIS/PACS, enable rapid estimation of fetal doses.
  • This method provides a practical tool for assessing radiation exposure to the unborn child during diagnostic imaging.
  • Facilitates improved radiation protection strategies for pregnant patients undergoing X-ray and CT procedures.

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