Assessment of Entrance Skin Dose and Image Quality of Chest X-Rays in Two University Teaching Hospitals, North East Nigeria

Abstract Bi shielding has been used for the protection of radiosensitive organs during computed tomography (CT) for 20 years. In 2017, American Association of Physicists in Medicine recommended against Bi shielding due to its degrading effects on image quality. Saba shielding introduced recently protecting organs as Bi shielding without degrading image quality. In this study, the Saba shield was modified and primary radiation attenuation values of the shields and entrance skin dose (ESD) on the thyroid were measured with and without shielding. Furthermore, the quality of images obtained using Saba shielding was investigated quantitatively and qualitatively. Saba and Bi shielding reduced the ESD on the thyroid by about 50%. Saba shielding had about 5–7 HU less noise and about 51–65 HU less CT numbers shift in comparison with Bi shielding at a distance of 1 cm from the shields. Saba shielding had no degrading effects on image quality in the patient study.

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Investigation of Exposure Factors for Various Breast Composition and Thicknesses in Digital Screening Mammography Related to Breast Dose

Medical Principles and Practice ◽

10.1159/000488198 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 27 (3) ◽

pp. 211-216 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Khaled Alkhalifah ◽

Ajit Brindhaban

Keyword(s):

Image Quality ◽

Nonparametric Tests ◽

Screening Mammography ◽

Amorphous Selenium ◽

Skin Dose ◽

Reference Systems ◽

Mean Glandular Dose ◽

Entrance Skin Dose ◽

Mammography Image

Objective: To investigate the effect of exposure factors used in digital screening mammography on image quality of different breast compositions. Material and Methods: A digital mammography unit, with tungsten (W) as target, rhodium (Rh) and silver (Ag) as filters, and amorphous selenium detectors, was used to image Computerized Imaging Reference Systems (CIRS) Model 12A phantoms of thickness 4, 5, and 6 cm. Images of each phantom were obtained using target-filter combinations of W/Rh and W/Ag, at 28, 30, and 32 kVp. Images were evaluated by 5 senior technologists with experience in mammography. Image scores were assigned, for each type of feature present in the phantom. Statistical analysis was performed using nonparametric tests to compare sets of image scores at p = 0.05. Results: A small but statistically significant improvement was detected in the visibility of microcalcifications (8.8 ± 0.2; p = 0.031) for the W/Rh combination but this did not show any differences in the visibility of masses or fibers. The entrance skin dose (ESD) and mean glandular dose (MGD) were lower for the W/Ag (ESD = 1.30–3.70; MGD = 0.44–0.93 mGy) combination compared to W/Rh (ESD = 1.66–5.40; MGD = 0.52–1.12 mGy). The Mann-Whitney test revealed that 30-kV exposure with the W/Rh combination showed a significantly better visibility of specks in the 30/70 phantom compared to other exposures. Conclusion: The use of an Rh filter showed a better image quality for all phantoms. 28 and 30 kVp with the W/Rh combination provided a slightly better image quality, and the MGD is less than 1.2 mGy.

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Experience with the rotating podiatric residency/podiatric surgical residency-12 model. Twenty-four months of integrated training

Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association ◽

10.7547/87507315-82-11-573 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 82 (11) ◽

pp. 573-578

Author(s):

MA Battey

Keyword(s):

University Teaching ◽

Teaching Hospitals ◽

Residency Programs ◽

Surgical Residency ◽

Entry Level ◽

Brown University ◽

Positive Experiences ◽

University Teaching Hospitals ◽

Training Opportunities

The author describes the positive experiences of Cranston General Hospital, Osteopathic in establishing a 24-month program, combining an entry level rotating podiatric residency and a podiatric surgical residency. The program grew from a 12-month surgical program to become a 24-month program, using expanded training opportunities available in Brown University teaching hospitals. An improved quality of care and a greater fund of knowledge for the residents are two results of the 24-month training program. Recommendations and views about developing entry level residency programs are presented.

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The Quality of Psychiatric Management of Youth Who Deliberately Self-poison: A Medical Records Audit in three University Teaching Hospitals

Archives of Suicide Research ◽

10.1080/13811110208951173 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 155-165

Author(s):

Michael Dudley ◽

Meredith Nirui

Keyword(s):

Medical Records ◽

University Teaching ◽

Teaching Hospitals ◽

University Teaching Hospitals

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Does functional outcome depend on the quality of the fracture fixation? Mid to long term outcomes of ankle fractures at two university teaching hospitals

Foot and Ankle Surgery ◽

10.1016/j.fas.2018.04.008 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 25 (4) ◽

pp. 538-541 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Veronica Roberts ◽

Lyndon W. Mason ◽

E. Harrison ◽

Andrew P. Molloy ◽

Jitendra Mangwani

Keyword(s):

Functional Outcome ◽

Fracture Fixation ◽

Ankle Fractures ◽

University Teaching ◽

Teaching Hospitals ◽

Long Term Outcomes ◽

University Teaching Hospitals

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Assessment of the Local Exposure Level during Adult Chest X-Rays at the Ngaoundere Regional Hospital, Cameroon

Radiology Research and Practice ◽

10.1155/2019/3619498 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

Guiswe Gnowe ◽

Henri Paul Ekobena Fouda ◽

Mbo Amvene Jéremie ◽

Takmou Pascal ◽

Bonaventure Babinne Graobe

Keyword(s):

Adult Patients ◽

Reference Level ◽

Skin Dose ◽

Exposure Level ◽

X Rays ◽

Entrance Skin Dose ◽

Chest Examination ◽

Local Exposure ◽

Skin Doses

Background. The purpose of this study was to estimate the doses delivered to adult patients during chest examination for comparison with those elsewhere and to establish a local diagnostic reference level for the chest. The doses delivered in the standard X-ray examinations are not sufficiently optimized and controlled. The working protocols for the same exam given differ for similar morphotypes within the same hospital structure. Materials and Methods. The entrance skin dose (mGy) of the chest was evaluated on 105 adult patients with a mass of 70 ± 10 kg in accordance with the 75th percentile of the irradiation parameters. The analysis and processing of the data was carried out by Excel 2010. The entrance skin dose of the chest obtained in mGy was 0.18 ± 0.21 for the PA incidence. Conclusion. The present study allowed us to observe large variations at the entrance skin doses of the chest. These variations have made it possible to understand that the entrance skin doses to the chest are optimized and do not exceed the proportions of those estimated by others and standards internationally. This aspect demonstrates that the diagnostic reference levels as enumerated are dependent on the doses delivered and include not only the notions of quality of the radiographic image and the quality assurance of the radiological equipments but also the level of the manipulators trained.

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