Comparison of absorbed dose in target organs using conventional and digital panoramic radiography

The objective of this study was to measure the absorbed dose in target organs using conventional and digital panoramic radiography. In this experimental cross-over study, the Rando phantom of the Atomic Energy organization of Iran(AEOI) was exposed 54 times using conventional (Cranex Tome -Sordex), and digital panoramic (Cranex D-Sordex). radiography The absorbed doses were measured by a dosimeter (TLD’s) in the following areas: Thyroid gland, left and right Parotid and Submandibular glands, Sublingual gland, bone marrow of left and right maxilla and mandible. TLD’s were coded and the absorbed doses for each organ was determined under standard conditions in AEOI. Data was analyzed by using t-test and MANN-U-WHITNEY. In this study, the total absorbed dose in conventional radiography was 0.82±0.06 (mSiv) compared to 0.42±0.04 (mSiv) in digital radiography. The difference was statistically significant (P< 1%)and the highest absorbed dose was reported to be in Submandibular glands The lowest absorbed dose was seen in the Thyroid gland. The difference was found to be statistically significant (P< 0.01). Digital radiography can reduce the absorbed dose to critical organs.