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Dose reduction by the use of erbium filtration in a general radiographic room

R. W. Cranage, MA, DPhil ^* C. J. Howard, SR, HDCR and A. D. Welsh, BA, MSc

Department of Radiology, Cheltenham General Hospital, Sandford Road, Cheltenham GL53 7AN, UK Department of Medical Physics, Cheltenham General Hospital, Sandford Road, Cheltenham GL53 7AN, UK ^* Department of Medical Physics, Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, Somerset TA1 5DA, UK

The conventional aluminium filtration of a general purpose X-ray tube in a district general hospital was replaced by an erbium filter for a 2-month period. The resulting reduction in skin dose was measured for a number of examinations using thermoluminescent dosimetry. The change in effective dose equivalent was calculated from these measurements and compared with previous theoretical estimates. The use of the erbium filter had no effect on radiograph quality. It was concluded that the use of an erbium filter resulted in a worthwhile reduction in radiation dose, and was a cost-effective method of dose reduction.

Key Words: Radiation dose • Filtration • Dose reduction • Diagnostic radiology

Received for publication April 22, 1991. Revision received September 6, 1991. Accepted for publication October 3, 1991.

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