EFFECTIVITY OF LEAD APRONS TO REDUCE THE RADIATION-DOSE OF PATIENT INCT

Purpose: Investigation of the efficacy of lead apron, testis capsule a nd thyroid collar for dose reduction in uterus, ovaries, testes and th yroid gland in computed tomography examinations. Methods: At an Alders on-Rando-phantom dose of uterus, ovaries, testes and thyroid gland was measured with thermoluminescent dosemeters. CT of the upper abdomen, the whole abdomen and the skull were simulated without and with lead s hielding. As lead shielding, a lead apron was attached around the pelv is of the phantom in case of CT of the upper abdomen, a testis capsule was used in CT of the whole abdomen and a thyroid collar in CT of the skull. Results: In CT of the upper abdomen the lead apron did not lea d to any recognisable dose reduction in uterus and ovaries. In CT of t he whole abdomen the testis capsule led to a dose reduction in testes of 95% (1.39 mSv) and in CT of the skull the thyroid collar to a dose reduction in thyroid gland of 23% (0.19 mSv). Conclusions: In abdomina l CT examinations the testis capsule is an important instrument to red uce the dose of the testes whereas the lead apron is not appropriate f or a dose reduction in the uterus and ovaries. In CT of the skull the thyroid collar can remarkably reduce the scattered radiation exposure of the thyroid gland and should be recommended.