Comparison of effective doses obtained from dose–area product and air kerma measurements in interventional radiology

In this study, measurements of dose-area product (DAP) and entrance dose were carried out simultaneously in a sample of 162 adult patients who underwent different interventional examinations. Effective doses for each measurement technique were estimated using the conversion factors that have been determined for specific X-ray views in a mathematical phantom. Exposure conditions used in clinical practice never match these theoretical models exactly, and deviations from the assumed standard conditions cause uncertainties in effective dose estimations. Higher effective dose values are found if the air kerma results are used rather than DAP readings, both for patient and Rando phantom studies. Comparison of DAP, fluoroscopy times and skin doses were made with published data. DAP measurement for the effective dose calculation and thermoluminescent dosimeter for the skin dose estimates are found to be the most reliable methods for patient dosimetry.