Analysis of Entrance Skin Exposure Values and Chest Area Dose Using Digital Radiography on a Custom ANSI Phantom

Abstract

Chest radiography is one of the most frequently performed medical imaging procedures in radiology practice due to its ability to provide diagnostic information about the lungs and thoracic organs. This study aims to analyze the Entrance Skin Exposure (ESE) and radiation dose distribution in the thoracic cavity using Digital Radiography (DR) with a fabricated ANSI chest phantom. This experimental study was conducted in the Radiology Department of Dr. Tadjuddin Chalid Hospital, Makassar. The phantom was constructed using acrylic and aluminum materials with variations of air gaps of 5, 6, and 7 cm to simulate the thoracic cavity. The collected data included ESE values on the phantom surface and radiation doses within the thoracic cavity, which were further analyzed to determine the Entrance Skin Dose (ESD) and linear attenuation coefficient. The results show that ESE and ESD values increase with higher tube voltage and phantom thickness, but decrease as the FFD increases. Furthermore, the presence of air gaps within the thoracic cavity affects the attenuation process, resulting in lower radiation doses compared to denser materials. These findings indicate that exposure parameters and thoracic cavity structure significantly influence radiation dose distribution in chest radiography examinations.