ABSTRACT

This study aims to improve a way for reducing backscattered radiation in an X-ray room. An iron steel grid, capable to absorb a significant portion of the backscattered radiation, was used. X-ray machine as a source for radiation was directed normally on the phantom, and the backscattered radiation was measured by using ion chamber. The measurements were recorded at various applied voltages (60 kvp to 120 kvp) and the fabricated grid was designed from iron steel constructed of perpendicular parallel strips mounted on a base. The results indicated that the use of iron steel grid was very effective in the reduction of backscattered radiation in an X-ray room up to about 46% by using fabricated iron steel grid.

1. Introduction

The use of X-ray has extended and become very important in both diagnostic radiology imaging and radiotherapy. Nowadays, radiology seems to be a necessary procedure in diagnosis and treatment of patients. X-ray examinations have several clinical advantages. In a lot of ways it has preserved its priority over other diagnostic methods. In most cases, X-ray is the first choices of examination of the diagnostic algorithm. In fact, X-ray examination is still the most frequently used modality [1].

Scattered photons are radiations that change in direction as a result of interaction with some medium. These scattered photons are detrimental to contrast the image, reduce accurate representations of human anatomy, and increase the patients and workers dose [2,3].

There are two types: scattered radiation, and backscattered radiation. The side scattered radiation occurs when the photon scatters to the side or is reflected 90 degree from the initial photon beam. The back scattered radiation is, when the photon scatters is in a backward direction from the initial primary beam, at either 180 degree or at various angles [4].

Backscattered radiation contributes with a large portion of scattered radiation which is the main source of exposure to radiation workers in an X-ray room [5]. The physical characteristic of X-rays is scattered by the patient and reaching the imaging detect on verification image quality. X-ray scatter is a complex phenomenon that can cause significant degradation of quality, primarily in term of contrast and contribute to image noise. In addition, it has important effects on the patients and workers in an X-ray room. That is to say, the scattered radiation not only reduces the image quality, but also gives additional unwanted dose to the patients and workers in an Xray room [6,7].

2. Equipments and Methodology

The equipments that were used in this experiment include an X-ray machine, ion chamber, and fabricated iron steel grid.

2.1. X-Ray Machine

The main component of X-ray machine is X-ray generator. The major components of an X-ray generator are the tube, the high voltage generator, the control console, and the cooling system.

2.2. Ion Chamber

The ion chamber used for the measurement of backscattered X-ray photons was model Exradin A10. It is used with electrometer to measure dose, charge, and current.

2.3. Electrometer Max 4000

The Ion Chamber was used with a Dosimeter Model MAX 4000 that automatically detects the start and the stop of radiation exposure by measuring the current crossing predetermined limit thresholds.

2.4. Iron Steel Grid

A scattered radiation grid consists of a system of vertical steel iron lamellae arranged at specific distances from each other as it is shown in Figure 1.

3. Procedures

For studying the effectiveness of iron steel grid on reduction of backscattered radiation, we have measured the backscattered dose at different field sizes. We fixed the detector at an angle of backscattering 160˚ with the incident X-ray beam to measure backscattered dose only. And we used an applied voltage ranged (60 to 120 kvp) at one meter distance between X-ray machine source and target material (phantom) by using the grid that placed under target material, and without using the grid. Also, for comparing back scattered dose with different strip spacing, we have used different strip spacing ranged from 1 to 5 cm.

4. Results and Discussion

The backscattered doses at different setups were plotted against the kvp to compare the effect of Iron Steel Grid on reduction backscattered radiation dose; Figure 2 shows the results of backscattered radiation dose measurements. It also shows a comparison between using grid and without using grid under the radiographic phantom.

Figure 2 shows the difference in the backscattered radiation dose between measuring dose with and without using the iron steel grid. It also shows the ability of grid to reduce backscattered radiation. In all measurements, it can be clearly seen the dose of X-ray is proportional to