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Software for the estimation of foetal radiation dose to patients and staff in diagnostic radiology

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Keith Faulkner, Dr Colin Kotre

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Abstract

Occasionally, it is clinically necessary to perform a radiological examination(s) on a woman who is known to be pregnant or an examination is performed on a woman who subsequently discovers that she was pregnant at the time. In radiological examinations, especially of the lower abdomen and pelvis area, the foetus is directly irradiated. It is therefore important to be able to determine the absorbed dose to the foetus in diagnostic radiology for pregnant patients as well as the foetal dose from occupational exposure of the pregnant worker. The determination of the absorbed dose to the unborn child in diagnostic radiology is of interest as a basis for risk estimates from medical exposure of the pregnant patient and occupational exposure of the pregnant worker. In this paper we describe a simple computer program, FetDose, which calculates the dose to the foetus from both medical and occupational exposures of the pregnant woman. It also calculates the risks of in utero exposure, compares calculated doses with published data in the literature and provides information on the natural spontaneous risks. The program will be a useful tool for the medical and paramedical personnel who are involved with foetal dose (and hence risks) calculations and counselling of pregnant women who may be concerned about in utero exposure of their foetuses.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Osei EK, Darko JB, Faulkner K, Kotre CJ

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Journal of Radiological Protection

Year: 2003

Volume: 23

Issue: 2

Pages: 183-194

ISSN (print): 0952-4746

ISSN (electronic): 1361-6498

Publisher: Institute of Physics Publishing Ltd

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0952-4746/23/2/305

DOI: 10.1088/0952-4746/23/2/305


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