Dose-Area Product-to-Effective Dose Conversion Coefficients for Pelvic Radiography Using a Monte Carlo Program.

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiology
• Radiation Dosimetry

Background:

• Radiation dose optimization is crucial in medical imaging.
• Pelvic trauma evaluation often requires multiple radiographic views.
• Accurate estimation of effective dose (E) is essential for patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine dose-area product-to-effective dose (DAP/E) conversion coefficients for a standard five-view pelvic radiograph series.
• To provide tools for radiation dose optimization in institutional protocols for pelvic trauma assessment.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 25 pelvic fracture patients undergoing a five-view radiograph series.
• Simulation of effective dose (E) using Monte Carlo methods with anthropomorphic phantoms.
• Regression analysis to establish DAP/E conversion coefficients based on radiographic parameters.

Main Results:

• A strong correlation between effective dose (E) and dose-area product (DAP) was found, independent of BMI.
• The mean global DAP/E conversion coefficient was 0.0125 mSv/dGy·cm² (R² = 0.95).
• Specific mean DAP/E coefficients were calculated for anteroposterior, inlet, outlet, and Judet views.

Conclusions:

• DAP/E conversion coefficients are established for a five-view pelvic radiograph series.
• These coefficients enable reliable estimation of effective dose (E) in pelvic trauma imaging.
• Measurement of cumulative E can inform protocol design for improved pelvic trauma management.