General objective: To establish the diagnostic reference levels for adult AP and lateral lumbar spine x-ray examination in Kampala Specific objectives; 1. To determine the mean ESDs of adult patients undergoing AP and lateral lumbar spine x-ray examination in Kampala. 2. To determine the local DRL of lumbar spine x-ray examination in Kampala. 3. To compare DRLs among the eight x-ray units in Kampala. 4. To compare DRLs of Kampala with those of European Commission as an international standard.

Study design: A cross sectional study. Study setting: This study was conducted in eight x-ray units in Kampala. These X-ray units included both Government and private units. Study variables included: Patient’s factor: sex, age, and weight. Machine factor: kVp, mAs, CR, conventional/Analogue, DR, FSD. Dependent variables were Incident Air Kerma and Entrance Skin Dose. Outcome: DRL. ESD calculation; IAK (Incident Air Kerma) and ESAK/ESD (Entrance Skin Dose) was calculated as below. IAK = tube output at 1m (mGy/mAs) x mAs x 1/FSD. Tube output values...

Data of 160 patients, 320 views (AP/Lateral) were collected and analyzed. Results were obtained for acquisition method, Social-demographic characteristics, study variables, of radiograph, equipment data, and the 75th Percentile (3rd Quartile) of all grouped data. The 75th percentiles is 3.7mGy of mean ESD for AP lumbar spine X-ray examination. The 75th percentiles is 6.2mGy of mean ESD for Lateral lumbar spine examination.

The DRL for AP and lateral lumbar X-ray examination for Kampala-Uganda is 3.7mGy and 6.2mGy respectively. Variation in dose measurements along with the variation in manufacture specifications reflected on the wide range of DRLs values across the x-ray units. DRLs for Kampala Uganda is lower than those of the international values. This is in consistent with the hypothesis. Recommendations. This study should contribute to the development Uganda’s first National DRL and an ongoing Quality Assurance program. Study in dose optimization which will include factors like...

DR. AKELLO BETTY OPENY MBChB (GUM), MMED RAD (MUK) RADIOLOGIST AT UGANDA HEART INSTITUTE, PRESIDENT OF UGASON (UGANDA ASSOCIATION OF ULTRASONOGRAPHY). TEL 256 781871383 [email protected].

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