Assessment Of Diagnostic Radiography Practice In South Of Benin: Application Of Quality Control Procedures And Estimation Of Patient Entrance Surface Dose

ABSTRACT The use of X-ray equipment in diagnostic radiography increases with demographic growth of population and Benin is not an exception. Achieving good quality image while keeping workers, public and patient exposure to ionizing radiation at an acceptable level has become a prerequisite for radiology department in their effort to comply with radiation protection principle of optimization. The present research work undertook quality control measurement of seven diagnostic radiography equipment in south of Benin. In addition, patient entrance surface dose was also estimated in the seven hospitals. RDS-120 universal survey meter, multifunction detector (Piranha) and beam alignment test tool were used to perform quality control tests on the seven X-ray units. The method used as well as the interpretation of the results was based on AAPM, FDA, HARP, IPEM, IAEA and S.C 35 recommendations. The quality control results showed that all X-ray equipment investigated were within standard limits for accuracy of exposure time below 10 ms; reproducibility of kVp, exposure time and dose output; specific dose-kVp2 linearity; specific dose-mAs linearity and leakage of X-ray tube housing. 5/7 of diagnostic X-ray machines passed quality control tests such as X-ray beam alignment, exposure time above 10 ms and kVp accuracy. For the seven X-ray units, the maximum average estimated entrance surface dose for chest PA, Skull AP, abdomen AP, pelvis AP, and lumber spine AP were respectively, 1.3922 ± 0.0217 mGy; 10.5709 ± 0.4549 mGy ; 11.2909 ± 0.5324 mGy; 10.1398 ± 0.2322 mGy; 16.1073 ±0.6931 mGy and 1.4317 ± 0.0161 mGy. The choice of radiographic parameters needs to be improved by radiographers in their effort to optimize patient exposure to ionizing radiation.