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16 March 2010

Answer to Question #1214 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Medical and Dental Patient Issues — Diagnostic X Ray and CT

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

What are the effective radiation doses for the following diagnostic x rays for an 11-year-old female, weight 64 kgs: lateral lumbar spine-1 view, lumbrosacral spine-1 view, spot film lumbrosacral spine-1 view?

Thank you for your question. Please keep in mind that the following numbers are calculated based on typically used x-ray parameters for a lumbar spine series. The unit of radiation used to express effective dose is the "mrem" or "µGy." The calculated effective dose for a lateral lumbar spine is 30 mrem (300 µGy); for an AP view, 18 mrem (180 µGy); and for a spot film, 5 mrem (50 µGy). The total effective dose then would be 53 mrem. For comparison, the average annual effective dose received by the United States population is 360 mrem. Stewart C. Bushong, ScD, FACR, FACMP Professor of Radiologic Science Baylor College of Medicine

Answer posted on 27 September 2001. The information and material posted on this Web site is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Web site. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.