Protection of persons undergoing radiological examinations

Method: A review of radiological procedures carried out in the Department of Radiology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, between June 1999 and June 2000 was done. Results: Six thousand six hundred (6600) patients were exposed to ionizing radiation as a result of request for radiological examinations from clinicians. One hundred and sixty seven (167) patients had multiple exposures. Male/female ratio was 5:4. The mean age of the patients was 40 years. Twenty three (1.3%) of these patients were aged 15 years. Most of these patients came for special investigations such as intravenous urography (11.9%), barium studies (26.94%), hysterosalpingograhy (40.11%), skeletal survey following road traffic accidents (6.58%) and gun shot injuries (13.71%). Protection was in the form of gonad shields, lead apron to shield the unwanted parts during examinations and coning the X-ray field before exposure. The staff had Thermoluminscent Dosimeters (TLD) to monitor dose levels received by such staff every three months. They wore hand gloves, lead aprons and stayed behind concrete cubicles as the situations demands. The radiologists usually goes through the request cards of the patients and in consultation with the clinicians advises on reducing the number of exposures. Conclusion: Radiation workers should at all times aim at protecting themselves and the patients as the effects of low dose radiation exposure remains to be further elucidated. Tropical Journal of Medical Research 2004;8(2): 36-3