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Thyroid shields and neck exposures in cephalometric radiography.
Philippe Hujoel1, Lars Hollender, Anne-Marie Bollen
1Department of Dental Public Health Sciences, School of Dentistry University of Washington, Seattle, USA. hujoel@u.washington.edu
BMC Medical Imaging
|June 15, 2006
Summary
Children have greater neck exposure to ionizing radiation than adults, especially without thyroid shields. Thyroid shield use was low overall, particularly in pediatric patients, highlighting a need for improved radiation protection in medical imaging.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Medical Physics
- Pediatric Imaging
Background:
- The thyroid gland is highly sensitive to ionizing radiation.
- Understanding age-related radiation exposure in the neck is crucial for patient safety.
- Cephalometric radiography involves potential radiation exposure to the neck.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate age-related changes in neck area exposure to ionizing radiation.
- To assess the prevalence and trends of thyroid shield usage in cephalometric radiographs.
- To identify demographic factors influencing radiation exposure and shield use.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of cephalometric radiographs from an academic institution.
- Correlation of neck exposure with patient demographics (age, gender) and calendar year.
- Quantification of exposed vertebrae and neck tissue, and assessment of thyroid shield presence.
Main Results:
- Children exhibited greater vertebral exposure than adults when thyroid shields were absent.
- Females had more inferior neck tissue exposure compared to males.
- Thyroid shield utilization was low (19%), varying significantly by calendar year and age group, with children showing lower adoption rates.
- Hyoid bone-porion distance increased with age.
Conclusions:
- Children are at higher risk for radiation exposure to neck structures compared to adults without thyroid shielding.
- Thyroid shield utilization remains suboptimal, particularly in pediatric populations.
- Findings underscore the importance of consistent and appropriate use of radiation protection devices in medical imaging, especially for children.