AP and PA thorax radiographs: dose evaluation using the FAX phantom

Abstract

Considering that the risks associated with ionising radiation are dependent on the characteristics of the exposed individual and that the structures and sizes of the human body vary considerably as a function of gender, efforts must be made in order to study the effective and absorbed doses in thoracic radiological examinations. taking into account the special features of the female anatomy. In this work, the Monte Carlo code Monte Carlo N-Particle eXtended (MCNPX) and the Female Adult voXel (FAX) phantom are combined in order to investigate how the effective and absorbed doses vary in thoracic radiological examinations. The results suggest that different precautionary measures should be taken depending on the chosen geometric projection and that the application of higher voltages to the X-ray tube appears to be an alternative to reduce the effective and absorbed doses.