article · International Journal of Science and Technology Research Archive
Diagnostic medical imaging delivers variable amounts of radiation to patients depending on the equipment used and individual patient characteristics. An investigation into patient exposure examined four conventional X-ray machines and two computed tomography units at Benue State University Teaching Hospital. Machine settings including tube voltage, current, and exposure time were modelled using OrgDose software to calculate organ equivalent doses alongside overall effective doses. The findings revealed notable variations in the radiation absorbed by different internal organs, with the liver and kidneys receiving higher doses than other tissues. Overall effective doses ranged between 0.8 and 1.9 millisieverts, influenced by patient demographics. Precise measurement of radiation doses remains essential to prevent avoidable patient exposure. Clinical practice should therefore prioritise the implementation of standardised diagnostic protocols, targeted adjustments to imaging parameters, and routine calibration of radiology machinery to safeguard patient health.
Medical imaging is vital for clinical diagnosis, but exposure to ionising radiation carries health risks if doses are unmonitored. Understanding how specific organs absorb radiation during X-ray and computed tomography scans allows healthcare facilities to minimise unnecessary exposure. Adopting consistent imaging parameters and calibrated machinery ensures patients receive necessary diagnostic care while keeping radiation exposure as low as reasonably practicable.
The findings directly apply to hospital radiology departments, clinical physicists, and equipment managers seeking to refine radiation safety. By linking specific machine settings to organ-level dose estimates, the data can inform quality assurance programmes and protocol optimisation workflows. As the research evaluated operational clinical equipment using established software, the recommendations for equipment calibration and protocol standardisation represent applied insights ready for immediate practical implementation.
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This study aimed to evaluate and compare organ equivalent and effective doses from diagnostic X-ray and CT machines to assess patient radiation exposure. Data was collected at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi, using four conventional X-ray machines and two CT units. OrgDose software was employed to calculate organ and effective doses, analyzing parameters such as tube voltage, current, and exposure time. Results indicated variability in organ doses, with the liver and kidneys receiving higher doses than other organs, and effective doses ranged from 0.8 to 1.9 mSv depending on patient demographics. The study concluded that accurate dose estimation is critical for minimizing unnecessary radiation exposure. Recommendations include adopting standardized protocols, optimizing imaging settings, and conducting regular equipment calibration to enhance patient safety.
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DOI: 10.53771/ijstra.2025.9.1.0053
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