Abstract

Aim: Dosimetry is a match between image quality and the low dose process in order to ensure the radiation protection of patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the exposure of patients according to radiographic investigations at the radiology service of the Regional Hospital of Ngaoundere. Methods: The prospective study involved adult patients with a mass of 70 #xB1; 10 kg, during four months. Our data collected using a form adapted according to the model of the Institute of Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) of dosimetric evaluation in classical radiography were compared with the referential of this institution. The analysis and the processing of the data of each radiographic exploration made it possible to estimate the entrance dose of skin (De) and to compare with those obtained by the same indirect approach and with the DRLs available. Results: 100 patients were involved in our study. The doses at the entrance of the skin obtained in mGy were respectively 7.57 #xB1; 2.1 and 9.52 #xB1; 0.9 for the face and profile of the skull, 8.77 #xB1; 0.9 for the face/profile incidences of the cervical spine, 6.75 #xB1; 0.3 and 8.13 #xB1; 0.3 for thoracic spine, 9.65 #xB1; 1.5 and 15.77 #xB1; 1.5 for the frontal and profile incidences of the lumbar spine. These results demonstrated that doses delivered to patients were not sufficiently optimized. Conclusion: Although the radiological images remain interpretable; the elements, such as the technical absence of protocol, the inadequate profile of certain personnel, associated the inexistence of the texts in favour of the practices of protection against radiation, in spite of a permanent alternation of the trainees in radiology were identified like supporting an over-exposure of the patients to the ionizing radiations.