Hysterosalpingography dose assessment with direct digital radiography in a medical facility: A potential high risk procedure to patient in South-South Nigeria

Authors

  • Akintayo Daniel Omojola Department of Radiology, Federal Medical Centre Asaba, Delta State
  • Azuka Anthonio Agboje Department of Radiology, Federal Medical Centre Asaba, Delta State
  • Kanu Bassey Uche Department of Radiology, Federal Medical Centre Asaba, Delta State
  • Michael Onoriode Akpochafor Radiotherapy/Radiation Biology
  • Samuel Olaolu Adeneye Department of Radiation Biology, Radiotherapy and Radiodiagnosis, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos State
  • Eunan Okechukwu Oparaocha Department of Radiology, Federal Medical Centre Asaba, Delta State
  • Edwin Ehis Amiegbereta Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, Delta State

Keywords:

Hysterosalpingogram, Organ dose, Thermoluminescent dosimeter, Exposure, Conventional radiography

Abstract

Background: Hysterosalpingography (HSG) procedures often come with higher dose due to multiple exposures.

Aims: The study was aimed at carrying out a preliminary audit of doses in HSG exams with thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) in a facility using direct digital radiography (DDR), with the aim of identifying parameters that greatly affect the patient dose and see possible ways to optimize them in the future

Methods: The prospective study involved 53 booked female patients for HSG procedures. The study used a ceiling mounted direct digital radiography unit for exposures. Patient was made to lie in a supine position. Two TLD chips (LiF: Mg, Ti) were positioned at the central axis of the beam covering the pelvis to estimate the entrance surface dose (ESD) and another posteriorly to estimate the exit dose (ED). A PCXMC software was used to estimate the effective dose (Eff) and organ doses.

Results: The mean and 75th percentile ESD was 15.94±2.05 and 18.82±6.41 mGy respectively. The number of exposures, dose area product (DAP) and effective dose (Eff) ranged from 5.7 (4-10), 15.85 (5.02-51.07) Gycm2 and 4.6 (1.46-14.8) mSv. The mean dose to the ovaries, uterus and bladder were 4.63 (4.06-5.03) mGy, 6.17 (5.45-6.65) mGy and 10.8 (9.68-11.92) mGy. Estimated cancer risk was 230 (90-740) per million.

Conclusion: The ESD, Eff and organ doses were comparable to studies that used TLDs with conventional radiography; however this study was multiple times higher compared to fluoroscopy modality. Factors that contributed to patient dose were the number of exposure and patient field sizes. Protocol optimization should be considered to reduce patient risk.

Author Biographies

Akintayo Daniel Omojola , Department of Radiology, Federal Medical Centre Asaba, Delta State

Radiology& Medical Physicist

Azuka Anthonio Agboje , Department of Radiology, Federal Medical Centre Asaba, Delta State

Radiology

Kanu Bassey Uche , Department of Radiology, Federal Medical Centre Asaba, Delta State

Radiology

Michael Onoriode Akpochafor , Radiotherapy/Radiation Biology

Department of Radiation Biology, Radiotherapy and Radiodiagnosis, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos State

Samuel Olaolu Adeneye , Department of Radiation Biology, Radiotherapy and Radiodiagnosis, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos State

Radiotherapy/Radiation Biology

Eunan Okechukwu Oparaocha , Department of Radiology, Federal Medical Centre Asaba, Delta State

Radiography

Edwin Ehis Amiegbereta , Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, Delta State

Medical Physics

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Published

20-11-2025

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 1 (2023)

Section

Original Articles