ABSORBED DOSE TO THE SKIN IN RADIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS OF UPPER AND LOWER GASTROINTESTINAL-TRACT

Absorbed doses to the skin in radiological examinations of the upper a nd lower gastrointestinal tract in conventional and digital radiology are evaluated and compared. Absorbed doses were measured with LIF ther moluminescence dosemeters placed on the lower pelvis, umbilicus and fo rehead of the patient to evaluate the absorbed dose in and outside the primary beam. On 10 patients a reduction in absorbed dose of about 34 % for double contrast barium enema and of 66% for upper gastrointestin al tract examinations was revealed with digital radiography equipment. In our working conditions the lower dose requirement for digital radi ography is mainly due to new image intensifiers and television chains and also, due to our equipment settings, to the dose reduction with di gital spot fluorography compared with conventional spot film radiograp hy.