Effectiveness of protective thyroid shield in chest X-ray imaging

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Medical Physics
• Radiation Protection

Background:

• Chest X-ray is a primary diagnostic tool for coronavirus disease.
• The thyroid gland is highly sensitive to radiation, especially in pediatric patients.
• The necessity of thyroid shielding during chest X-rays remains a debated topic due to perceived benefits and drawbacks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of thyroid shielding in reducing radiation dose during chest X-ray imaging.
• To determine if thyroid shielding impacts the quality of diagnostic radiographs.
• To provide evidence-based recommendations on thyroid shield utilization in chest radiography.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an adult male ATOM dosimetric phantom equipped with thermoluminescent and optically stimulated luminance dosimeters.
• Conducted X-ray irradiations using a portable X-ray machine, both with and without a thyroid shield.
• Quantified radiation dose reduction to the thyroid gland based on dosimeter readings.

Main Results:

• Thyroid shielding decreased radiation dose to the thyroid gland by an average of 69% ± 18%.
• The use of a thyroid shield did not compromise the diagnostic quality of the obtained radiographs.
• Significant radiation dose reduction was achieved without adversely affecting image quality.

Conclusions:

• The use of a thyroid shield during chest X-ray imaging is effective in minimizing radiation exposure to the thyroid gland.
• The benefits of thyroid shielding in reducing radiation dose significantly outweigh any potential risks or drawbacks.
• Routine implementation of thyroid shielding during chest X-rays is recommended for radiation protection, particularly for vulnerable populations.