Abstract
The aim of this study was to test the feasibility of using Gafchromic XR-QA2 films in the measurements of patient entrance surface dose (ESD) during the micturating cystourethrogram (MCUG) examination in paediatric patients. Radiochromic films were used to map the entrance dose and to identify the location of peak surface dose (PSD). Direct in vivo measurements of entrance dose were conducted by placing a radiochromic film between the patient and the examination table. The measured ESD values for the commonly performed MCUG fluoroscopic examinations at the authors' institution was in the range of 1.2-7.8 mGy and the PSD in the range of 1.2-8.5 mGy per MCUG procedure for patients with age ranging from 1 to 12 y old. Gafchromic films (XR-QA2) were found to be an efficient and practical dosimetry method that can be easily used to measure clinical patient entrance doses during fluoroscopically guided procedures and potentially in other diagnostic investigations.