Results of a patient dose survey on diagnostic radiology in Lithuania.

One of the most effective means towards optimisation of radiation protection for patients undergoing radiodiagnostic examinations are the diagnostic reference levels. In order to ensure the effective use of these levels, they have to be set properly. National characteristics, such as the conditions of the radiological equipments, the training of the staff, the availability of quality assurance systems, etc., have to be taken into account when these levels are established. Measurements under real conditions were considered as the best tools to achieve these reference levels. With an aim to establish the Lithuanian national diagnostic reference levels, the nationwide survey of entrance surface doses received by the patients during the most typical X-ray examinations has been performed. The most common types of examinations, such as chest PA, skull PA and LAT, abdomen AP, lumbar spine AP and LAT, thorax spine AP and LAT, and hip joint AP, were included in the list of procedures under consideration. Hospitals of different size and levels using different X-ray machines were represented in the survey. The standard thermoluminescence dosemeter techniques with pellets attached to the skin of the patient in the centre of radiation field were applied. The data were analysed statistically, and the averages and 75th percentile were calculated. The results show that the Lithuanian diagnostic reference levels might be rather close to the ones promoted by the International Atomic Energy Agency and the European Commission.