Sergio Ricardo de Oliveira

Exposição de pacientes e qualidade da imagem em radiografias de tórax: uma avaliação crítica

OBJECTIVE: Entrance skin dose, effective dose, and imaging quality in chest radiographs of adult patients have been evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study has been developed in eight institutions - seven public hospitals (two of them philanthropic institutions) and one private - in the cities of Agra dos Reis, Cabo Frio, Campos dos Goytacazes, Itaperuna, Niteroi, Recife and Rio de Janeiro. Entrance skin dose and effective dose have been evaluated in 735 chest radiographs obtained in posteroanterior/anteroposterior and lateral projections. As regards imaging criteria, 44 radiographs have been evaluated. RESULTS: Variations of up to nine times in entrance skin dose, and six times in effective dose have been detected for a same type of projection. Also, significant discrepancies have been found in values resulting from radiographic techniques employed. Besides, imaging quality has not been good since the rate of compliance with imaging criteria was only 55%. CONCLUSION: There is a pressing need for improvement/standardization of procedures in conventional radiology; this can be achieved by implementing a quality control and assurance program in the department of radiology, including training of technicians, x-ray equipment calibration, and sensitometric control of films processors.

Avaliação das doses de radiação em uretrocistografia miccional de crianças

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate dose-area product, skin entrance dose and doses from fluoroscopy and radiography in voiding cystourethrography studies of pediatric patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Procedures performed in 37 patients by four physicians of the institution were evaluated. Measurements were performed with an equipment including an ionization chamber directly coupled to the x-ray tube window and an electrometer (Diamentor) connected to a computer for data collection. RESULTS: Some procedures heterogeneity was observed and guidelines for good radiographic techniques were not followed. On average, 11 radiographies are performed for each study, with extended fluoroscopy time delivering a higher average final dose than those reported in the literature. CONCLUSION: The adoption of radiography with high kilovoltage technique and restricted utilization of fluoroscopy can result in a significant reduction of doses during this procedure, considering that the major contribution to the final dose comes from fluoroscopy.

UM OLHAR SOBRE OS DOCENTES DOS CURSOS TÉCNICOS EM RADIOLOGIA

O objetivo deste artigo e apresentar o desenvolvimento preliminar das reflexoes sobre o perfil dos docentes e de suas praticas pedagogicas nos cursos tecnicos em radiologia. Do surgimento dos cursos para habilitacao do operador de raios X, em 1957, a regulamentacao profissional, em 1985, os cursos tecnicos expandiram-se sobremaneira. A procura por docentes aumentou, e os programas de licenciatura nao foram capazes de suprir a demanda. Diante disso, a experiencia em servico tornou-se o unico requisito a pratica docente. E nesse contexto que se insere o trabalho docente nos cursos tecnicos em radiologia. Quais os atributos relevantes para uma educacao que valorize a formacao integral do trabalhador? Como conceber uma pratica pedagogica consciente dos aspectos socio-historicos do trabalho que tenha o aporte teorico-metodologico necessario a uma pratica mais critica na educacao profissional?

LINCE: a practical darkroom QC device

Diagnostic radiology departments are of increasing importance in hospitals nowadays. The implementation of a Quality Control Program (QCP) in hospitals and clinics is of major importance and contribute to the production of an optimal radiographic image. One of the main aspects of the QCP is the correct development of the radiographic images. Therefore, hygienic conditions of the darkrooms as well as best cleaning and maintenance of accessories (screens and cassettes) are of major importance. The presence of dust, grease and other impurities inside the darkroom and in the accessories contribute to degrade image quality and produce artifacts on the final image. LINCE is an inspection light that was constructed to be used as a complementary device in QC of diagnostic radiology darkrooms. It is composed of two bulbs: one black light and one UV light. The black light is used to check the cleaning inside the darkrooms since it enhance dust particles that become easily seen when reached by this light. The UV light is used to check the cleaning of radiographic screen as well as their integrity. The UV light enhances grease, fingerprints and scratches in the screens. The LINCE is of low cost, portable, light, of easy handling and can be used by personnel in charge of cleaning and maintenance of darkrooms and accessories of radiology departments. The use of LINCE will certainly contribute to improve the image quality as well as to reduce the presence of image artifacts. The LINCE is patent pending in Brazil with registration number 0000220503067803 dated of 07/25/2005.