Comparative analysis of testicular and ovarian doses of patients during chest x-rays examinations in a tertiary hospital in North - Central Nigeria

Abstract

Radiation exposure levels to the ovaries and testes of adult patients undergoing chest X-ray examinations at the Federal Medical centre (FMC) Makurdi Nigeria have been investigated and compared. This is as a result of accumulated dose from routine X-rays examination received by ovarian and testicular tissues during routine chest X-ray procedures. Twenty adult female patients and twenty male patients undergoing radiological examination of the chest were investigated for ovarian and testicular doses at the Radiology Department of FMC Makurdi using themoluminescent dosimetry technique. The investigation was carried out using LiF TLD discs Reader, TLD model 4500 (Harshaw Radiation measurement product USA), 3-phase diagnostic X-ray machine and single-phase X-ray
machine. The mean ovarian and testicular doses of the female and male patients investigated were found to be 0.0376mGy and 0.0738mGy respectively. There is also a significant correlation between both female and male dose tube potential, in which higher tube potential delivered higher values of ovarian and testicular doses. Results indicate that, ovarian and testicular doses are within acceptable limits, which is approximately 3.8% and 7.4% respectively of the 1mGy reference dose level. The average dose to the testes is significantly higher than that to the ovaries, with specific measurements indicating a dose differential that underscores the need for gender-sensitive protocols in radiological practices. These findings highlight the importance of understanding radiation risks associated with diagnostic imaging, particularly concerning reproductive health, and advocate for enhanced awareness among healthcare professionals regarding the potential implications of radiation exposure.