[Somatic radiation risk in roentgen-diagnosis]

Area of Science:

• Radiological physics and radiation protection.
• Medical imaging and diagnostic procedures.

Context:

• X-ray diagnostics are widely used, necessitating an understanding of associated radiation risks.
• Previous assessments may not fully integrate organ-specific doses with population-level examination frequencies.

Purpose:

• To quantify the somatic radiation risk associated with various X-ray diagnostic examinations.
• To introduce and apply a somatic dose index for individual risk assessment.
• To calculate the somatically significant dose index to evaluate collective radiation risk in Germany.

Summary:

• Organ doses to red bone marrow, lung, female breast, and thyroid were assessed for different X-ray examinations.
• A somatic dose index was computed for individual risk, and multiplied by examination frequencies to derive the collective somatic radiation risk.
• Mammography exhibits the highest collective radiation risk, whereas dental radiography demonstrates the lowest.

Impact:

• Provides a framework for comparing radiation risks across different diagnostic imaging modalities.
• Informs radiation protection strategies and public health policies concerning medical X-ray exposures.
• Highlights the importance of considering both dose magnitude and examination frequency in risk assessment.