Comparison of lodox whole body slit beam technology with traditional radiography for evaluation of radioprotective lead aprons
Date
2020
Authors
Mahango, Kate Mahlako
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The Lodox Statscan is a digital low radiation dose X-ray unit. Its ability to
also scan a full patient length in a few seconds with equivocal image quality to
conventional radiography, has led to its use in multiple trauma units. We intended to
extend the application of the Lodox Statscan in the Quality Assurance program of
Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH), by utilizing the device to
evaluate the integrity of lead aprons.
AIM: This study aimed to compare Lodox Statscan with Fluoroscopic evaluation of radioprotective
lead aprons with regard to the integrity of the lead shielding.
METHOD: 35 lead aprons from the Radiology department at Charlotte Maxeke
Johannesburg Academic Hospital were collected and imaged using Fluoroscopy and Lodox
Statscan. The digitally recorded images of the lead aprons were assessed to determine
the presence, number and size of lead apron fractures. The Lodox Statscan findings and
conventional radiography findings, including time taken to assess each apron, were
compared.RESULTS: Lodox Statscan, was faster in acquiring images, with an average procedure time
of 1.43 minutes, compared to an average time of 5.72 minutes with Fluoroscopy.
In terms of identifying fractures, the two methods displayed no statistical difference (pvalue:
0.33). No statistical difference was found in the fractures scores (total number of
fractures detected) between the two imaging technologies (p-value: 0.79). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study have shown that compared to the gold standard
fluoroscopic examination, Lodox examination of lead aprons is a feasible option in
determining the integrity of lead aprons.
Description
A research report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of
Master of Medicine in Radiology
to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the
Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2020