title: Radiation doses to patients during pharyngeal videofluoroscopy.
abstract: Pharyngeal videofluoroscopy (VTF) is a well-recognized technique for investigating and assessing swallowing disorders. There is, however, a paucity of data available regarding the radiation dose to patients during such procedures, but there is general concern that fluorographic imaging modalities are associated with significant radiation exposure. We have recorded the dose received by 23 patients undergoing VTF in our department using a Dose-Area Product (DAP) Meter and have used the data to calculate the effective dose to the patients. The mean effective dose is 0.4 mSv (range 0.027-1.1) which compares favorably with the effective doses associated with other common radiological procedures. We therefore conclude that the radiation detriment associated with pharyngeal VTF is well within acceptable levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Ulster Hospital Dundonald, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK.
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Boyd
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Workman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D002933:Cineradiography; D003287:Contrast Media; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D005373:Film Dosimetry; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D005502:Food; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010614:Pharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D014741:Video Recording
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D001466:Barium Sulfate