Nazar, Nur Athirah Syuhada
(2024)
Establishment of local diagnostic reference level (LDRLS) for digital mobile radiography in neonate population.
Project Report.
Universiti Sains Malaysia.
(Submitted)
Abstract
Introduction: Radiology techniques such as chest AP, abdomen AP, and chestabdomen
X-rays are frequently performed on neonates to address various clinical
conditions. However, a comprehensive Diagnostic Reference Level (DRL) that
considers the specific needs and categories of neonates is currently lacking.
Developing such DRLs is crucial for optimising radiation doses and ensuring safe
imaging practises tailored to the delicate physiology of neonates. Objectives: This
study aims to evaluate the dose distribution (Air Kerma-Area Product, PKA in
mGy.cm2) for chest, abdomen, and chest-abdomen AP studies for mobile digital X-ray
units among neonates and establish the local diagnostic reference levels (LDRLs) for
these studies specifically for neonates. Method: In this study, a retrospective survey
of X-ray data was conducted on 694 neonate samples, aged 1 to 28 days, who
underwent chest AP, abdomen AP, or chest-abdomen X-ray examinations between
January 2022 and December 2023 at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM)
using a mobile Samsung GM85 unit. The dose distributions (PKA in mGy.cm2) were
evaluated, and the local diagnostic reference levels were established for these selected
studies. Results: The dose distribution (PKA in mGy.cm2) revealed the highest DRL
(Q3) value in the abdomen AP (17.26 mGy.cm2) and the lowest in the chest AP (6.79
mGy.cm2). The reference range of PKA for the selected X-ray examinations are
abdomen AP (1.98 – 140.98 mGy.cm2), chest-abdomen (2.62 – 132.66 mGy.cm2), and
chest AP (0.97 – 24.50 mGy.cm2). Conclusion: The findings of this study reveal that KAP value proportionally increases with kV, mAs and FOV. The DRL for neonates
varies depending on the area being scanned for each X-ray radiography examination.
In summary, this study makes a significant contribution to enhancing radiation safety,
patient care, and clinical decision-making in neonatal X-ray radiography. Generally,
this study agrees with other conducted DRL studies.
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