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11 October 2008

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.

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