title: A local diagnostic reference level for velopharyngeal investigations.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to derive an initial local diagnostic reference level for velopharyngeal investigations carried out as standard radiological practice in the Medical Imaging Department, Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead. This is a specialist video-fluoroscopic radiological technique used to evaluate velopharyngeal dysfunction, especially for paediatric patients. A retrospective analysis over a period of 7 months involving 50 examinations yielded dose-area product values ranging from 0.04 Gy cm(2) (minimum) to 0.37 Gy cm(2) (maximum) with a mean value of 0.11 Gy cm(2) and 3rd quartile value of 0.12 Gy cm(2). The maximum effective dose was estimated as 0.016 mGy. An initial local diagnostic reference level of 0.12 Gy cm(2) has been levied.
authors.affiliation: The Medical Physics Department, The Kent Oncology Centre, Maidstone Hospital, Kent ME16 9QQ, UK.
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Bridge
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Hillier
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Bonnett
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bowley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012015:Reference Standards; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014681:Velopharyngeal Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*