Absorbed doses at varying tube voltage in lateral cephalography

Absorbed doses in organs of special interest from lateral cephalography were measured by thermoluminescence dosimetry in a tissue equivalent phantom head. The radiographic examination was performed in a standardized manner by using a carefully collimated radiation field and a near-focus dodger. The actual tube voltages ranged from 63-127 kVp. The absorbed dose was described as a function of tube voltage. In all measurement sites the absorbed dose decreased with increasing tube voltage. This reduction was most obvious in the low tube voltage range. From the results a lowest recommendable tube voltage was given for the different measurement sites varying from approximately 75 kVp (thyroid region) to approximately 100 kVp (parotid region). A high tube voltage was found to be important for a low absorbed dose in different organs in lateral cephalography.