What's New?
.	December Journal
.	December Newsletter
.	Online Registration for HPS 2010 Midyear Meeting Now Available
.	NRC Academic Program Nuclear Education Grants, FY2010, Now Accepting Applications
.	EPA's STAR Graduate and GRO Undergraduate Fellowship Funding Now Accepting Applications

Upcoming Events
.	2010 HPS Midyear Topical Meeting Radiation Risk Communication to the Public 24-27 January 2010 Albuquerque, NM
.	2010 HPS Professional Development School Radiation Risk Communication: Issues and Solutions 27-29 January 2010 Albuquerque, NM

21 November 2009

Answer to Question #5201 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Medical and Dental Equipment/Shielding — Shielding

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

I have been taking my AP (anterior-posterior) lumbopelvic x rays without ovarian shielding because I was under the impression that an ovarian shield would prohibit observation of a significant portion of the pelvis and sacrum. However, I've read some Web sites that suggest that ovarian shielding should be used on this view on all women until past childbearing age. I've also noticed that some institutions do this, but it is rare. What is the standard for this view if the x ray is ordered on a patient complaining of back pain?

The gonads should be shielded when, of necessity, they are directly in the x-ray beam or within 5 cm of it, unless such shielding excludes or degrades important diagnostic information.

Ken "Duke" Lovins, CHP

Reference
International Commission on Radiological Protection. Summary of the current ICRP principles for protection of the patient in diagnostic radiology. Oxford: Pergamon Press; ICRP Publication 62; Ann. ICRP 22/3; 1993.

Answer posted on 14 February 2006. 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.