An assessment of scattered radiation during fluoroscopic procedures in diagnostic radiology

Abstract

The results of measurements of scattered radiation in the vicinity of a fluoroscopic X-ray facility are presented in this paper. Two different fluoroscopic systems, one with an undercouch tube and one with an overcouch tube, were compared. The dose rate was measured during the simulation of a fluoroscopy procedure, using an ionization chamber as a dosemeter. The distribution of scattered radiation has been determined and results show a much higher dose rate in cases of an overcouch tube arrangement. When X-ray units with an undercouch tube are concerned, under same exposure conditions, the dose rate is higher in cases of a vertical beam. Prior to the measurements, the ionization chamber was examined in order to evaluate its suitability as a survey meter used in diagnostic radiology. Measurements show that below 1.2 s, the ionization chamber gives an underestimation of dose rates. Therefore, in order to perform accurate measurements using this instrument, exposure times should be above 1.2 s.