Pages: 364-370

Authors: Nejc Mekis and Erna Alukic

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the different positioning of the patient in left and right lateral position during lumbar spine radiography and its effects on effective dose and absorbed dose for selected organs. The study was performed on a Siemens Multix/Vertix X-ray unit using Agfa's computer radiography system. Two anthropomorphic phantoms (PBU 60 and RS 113T) were imaged in both lateral projections with a tube voltage from 79 kV to 90 kV. The dose was measured with a DAP meter placed under the collimator of the X-ray unit. The effective dose and absorbed dose for selected organs were calculated using the Monte Carlo simulation programme PCXMC 2.0. Based on Monte Carlo simulation calculations, the results of effective dose on a PBU 60 phantom showed a decrease of 15.2 %, while the decrease in effective dose on a RS 113T phantom was 14.2 % in favour of the right lateral projection. An absorbed organ dose to selected organs showed a significant dose reduction for lymph nodes, pancreas, small intestine, spleen, and stomach in favour of this projection. Based on the results, we can conclude that right lateral projection should be the method of choice when imaging the lumbar spine in the lateral projection.

Key words: lumbar spine radiography, radiation dose reduction, radiosensitive organ

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