Radiation cancer risk from doses to newborn infants hospitalized in neonatal intensive care units in children hospitals of Isfahan province

Background: This study aimed to invesgate dose area product (DAP), effecve dose, and radiaon risk in newborn infants hospitalized in neonatal intensive care units in Isfahan and Kashan. Materials and Methods: During a period of six months, DAP for chest X-ray examinaons for newborn infants hospitalized in NICUs of five special hospitals including Behesh (in Kashan), Al-Zahra, Imam Hossein, Amin and Goldis (in Isfahan) were measured using DAP meter. Then, using the dose area product (DAP) and conversion coefficients, the effecve dose was calculated. Radiaon risk per single exposure was esmated by applying 2.8 × 10-2 and 13 × 10-2 factors per Sievert. Also, to esmate the radiaon risk in the exposed populaon, the collecve effecve dose and the menoned factors were used. Results: The mean DAP, the effecve dose, the radiaon risk per single exposure, and the radiaon risk in the exposed populaon were found to be 15.37 ± (1.19), 45.52 ± (3.28), [1.27-5.91] × 10-6, and [0.0045-0.021], respecvely. Conclusion: Findings indicate that the effecve dose and therefore radiaon risk in NICUs for newborn infants is higher than that of other studied cies in Iran. Consequently, it is necessary to aCempt to reduce radiaon dose while maintaining the image quality. In addion, theorecal and praccal training programs are needed to increase the knowledge and skills of radiologic technologists on the concept of As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) and possible radiaon cancer risks

Investigating the entrance surface and collective doses for radiographic examination in neonatal intensive care unit

Premature or sick hospitalized infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) often receive a large number of radiographic examinations. Because of small size of neonates, a big part of their body is putted in radiation field during radiography. On the other hand, infants are more sensitive to radiation and their cancer risk is 2 or 3 times higher than that of adults. So, it seems that radiation dosimetry in the NICU is vital and important. Researchers have calculated the entrance surface dose (ESD), effective dose (ED), kinetic energy released in material (Kerma) and scatter radiation in neonatal intensive care unit. They emphasized that although radiation exposure in the neonatal intensive care unit is low but, because of neonates� higher sensitivity, according to as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) law, the radiation should be kept as low as possible. This review article aimed to have a survey regarding measurement of radiation dose in the neonatal intensive care unit and to give some recommendations according to the literature for dose reduction. Overall, effort should be made to further lower patient doses while securing image quality. In addition, need to provide relevant education and training to staff is recommended. The outcomes are also useful to national and professional organizations. © 2015, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). Allrights reserved

The measurement of thyroid absorbed dose by gafchromic™ EBT2 film and changes in thyroid hormone levels following radiotherapy in patients with breast cancer

Background: Radiotherapy is a main method for the treatment of breast cancer. This study aimed to measure the absorbed dose of thyroid gland using Gafchromic EBT2 film during breast cancer radiotherapy. In addition, the relationship between the absorbed dose and thyroid hormone levels was evaluated. Methods: Forty-six breast cancer patients, with the age ranged between 25 and 35 years, undergoing external radiotherapy were studied. The patients were treated with 6 and 18 MV X-ray beams, and the absorbed thyroid dose was measured by EBT2 film. Thyroid hormone levels, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroxin (T4), were measured before and after the radiotherapy. Pearson's, Spearman's, and Chi-square tests were performed to evaluate the correlation between the thyroid dose and hormone levels. Results: The mean thyroid dose was 26 ± 9.45 cGy with the range of 7.85-48.35 cGy. There were not any significant differences at thyroid hormone levels between preradiotherapy and postradiotherapy (P > 0.05). There was a significant relationship between increased thyroid absorbed dose and changes in TSH and T4 levels (P < 0.05), but it was not significant in T3 level (P = 0.1). Conclusion: Regarding the results, the thyroid absorbed dose can have an effect on its function. Therefore, the thyroid gland should be considered as an organ at risk in breast cancer radiotherapy. © 2020 Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved

The measurement of thyroid absorbed dose by gafchromic� EBT2 film and changes in thyroid hormone levels following radiotherapy in patients with breast cancer

Background: Radiotherapy is a main method for the treatment of breast cancer. This study aimed to measure the absorbed dose of thyroid gland using Gafchromic EBT2 film during breast cancer radiotherapy. In addition, the relationship between the absorbed dose and thyroid hormone levels was evaluated. Methods: Forty-six breast cancer patients, with the age ranged between 25 and 35 years, undergoing external radiotherapy were studied. The patients were treated with 6 and 18 MV X-ray beams, and the absorbed thyroid dose was measured by EBT2 film. Thyroid hormone levels, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroxin (T4), were measured before and after the radiotherapy. Pearson's, Spearman's, and Chi-square tests were performed to evaluate the correlation between the thyroid dose and hormone levels. Results: The mean thyroid dose was 26 ± 9.45 cGy with the range of 7.85-48.35 cGy. There were not any significant differences at thyroid hormone levels between preradiotherapy and postradiotherapy (P > 0.05). There was a significant relationship between increased thyroid absorbed dose and changes in TSH and T4 levels (P < 0.05), but it was not significant in T3 level (P = 0.1). Conclusion: Regarding the results, the thyroid absorbed dose can have an effect on its function. Therefore, the thyroid gland should be considered as an organ at risk in breast cancer radiotherapy. © 2020 Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved