OBJECTIVE: To evaluate dose-area product, skin entrance dose and doses from fluoroscopy and radiography in voiding cystourethrography studies of pediatric patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Procedures performed in 37 patients by four physicians of the institution were evaluated. Measurements were performed with an equipment including an ionization chamber directly coupled to the x-ray tube window and an electrometer (Diamentor) connected to a computer for data collection. RESULTS: Some procedures heterogeneity was observed and guidelines for good radiographic techniques were not followed. On average, 11 radiographies are performed for each study, with extended fluoroscopy time delivering a higher average final dose than those reported in the literature. CONCLUSION: The adoption of radiography with high kilovoltage technique and restricted utilization of fluoroscopy can result in a significant reduction of doses during this procedure, considering that the major contribution to the final dose comes from fluoroscopy.

Keywords: X-rays, Dosimetry, Cystourethrography, Fluoroscopy, Pediatric radiology

OBJECTIVE: Entrance skin dose, effective dose, and imaging quality in chest radiographs of adult patients have been evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study has been developed in eight institutions - seven public hospitals (two of them philanthropic institutions) and one private - in the cities of Agra dos Reis, Cabo Frio, Campos dos Goytacazes, Itaperuna, Niterói, Recife and Rio de Janeiro. Entrance skin dose and effective dose have been evaluated in 735 chest radiographs obtained in posteroanterior/anteroposterior and lateral projections. As regards imaging criteria, 44 radiographs have been evaluated. RESULTS: Variations of up to nine times in entrance skin dose, and six times in effective dose have been detected for a same type of projection. Also, significant discrepancies have been found in values resulting from radiographic techniques employed. Besides, imaging quality has not been good since the rate of compliance with imaging criteria was only 55%. CONCLUSION: There is a pressing need for improvement/standardization of procedures in conventional radiology; this can be achieved by implementing a quality control and assurance program in the department of radiology, including training of technicians, x-ray equipment calibration, and sensitometric control of films processors.

Keywords: Chest x-ray, Quality control, Dosimetry

An occupational monitoring program in diagnostic radiology was implemented at the "Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho - UFRJ", Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in accordance with the Brazilian legislation. Previously, a survey of all personnel involved with ionizing radiation was performed. Many problems were observed: the great majority of the workers were not properly monitored; only three departments of the hospital kept an independent survey of the occupational doses; there was not a follow-up control of the high doses. With the implementation of the program, a new laboratory was chosen to read the dosemeters and this initiative resulted in reduction of the hospital costs. The inclusion of seven more departments in the program represented an increase of 60% in the number of monitored workers. The program also provided a system to control the high doses, especially in the Hemodynamics department, which presented the highest mean dose value (0.32 mSv/month). An area survey program was performed during different periods in places considered of high risk for the workers and for the public as well. At the same time, a software was used to build a database with the aim of controlling all personnel data. The implementation of the program provided all personnel involved a better knowledge of the risks associated with ionizing radiation and of radioprotection, and also awareness of the need of correct use of the personal dose monitors.

Keywords: Radiological protection, Occupational exposure, Quality control, Radiation dosimetry, Radiology