RADIATION EXPOSURE TO CHILDREN IN DIAGNOSING AND AT HYDROSTATIC REDUCTION OF INTUSSUSCEPTION

The energy imparted to the children in diagnosing and hydrostatic redu ction of intussusception was measured in 45 children by means of an ar ea-dose measurement device and the mean absorbed dose was estimated. T he device was provided with data on tube kVp, mAs and shutter position s and the results were presented as dGy x cm(2). The device had been c alibrated against a 30 cm(3) ionisation chamber at the relevant kVp ra nge. The median energy imparted and mean absorbed dose were 10.8 mJ an d 0.94 mGy, respectively. 70% of the total dose was delivered during f luoroscopy. The complex irradiation situation with varying field colli mation, tube voltage and amount of photon absorbing barium sulphate in the intestines renders organ dose and hazards estimations less reliab le. However even leaving the radiation shielding effect of the barium sulphate out, the radiation load is justifiable for a combined diagnos tic and interventional procedure.