Introduction: Radiation protection is one of the fundamental principles in radiological diagnostics. Optimal collimation of the primary X-ray field is essential for reducing unnecessary patient exposure to ionising radiation. However, in clinical practice, excessive field enlargement still occurs, resulting in higher doses to radiosensitive organs and increased effective dose. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of collimation in a selected hospital and to investigate its impact on dose parameters during radiographic imaging of the cervical spine, lumbar spine, and chest. Methods: The study was conducted at the General Hospital dr. Jožeta Potrča Ptuj on two X-ray units (Siemens Multitom Rax, device 1 and Siemens Ysio Max, device 2). In total, 1200 measurements were performed on device 1 and 1120 on device 2. For each examination, equal sample sizes of patients were included for optimal and non-optimal collimation. Patient weight and height, exposure conditions, Dose Area Product – DAP, and field size – FOV were recorded, and images were evaluated for collimation adequacy. Effective dose and organ doses were calculated using the PCXMC 2.0 program. Results: For the cervical spine, reducing the FOV by up to 74.37 % in the AP projection lowered DAP by up to 81.03 % and effective dose by 31.58 %. In the lateral projection, reducing FOV by up to 61.29 % decreased DAP by 60.50 % and effective dose by 41.9 %. For the lumbar spine, optimal collimation reduced FOV in the AP projection by up to 27.14 %, DAP by 56.98 %, and effective dose by 55.47 %. In the lateral projection, FOV reduction of up to 30.56 % resulted in a DAP decrease of 41.05 % and an effective dose reduction of 42.26 %. For chest imaging, the PA projection showed a reduction of FOV by up to 10.54 % and DAP by 26.58 % while in the lateral projection FOV was reduced by up to 14.53 % and DAP by 26.58 %. Effective dose was lower with optimal collimation in the lateral projection by up to 49.14 % and in the PA projection on device 1 by 18.26 %. On device 2 in the PA projection, effective dose was slightly lower with non-optimal collimation (2.34 %), without statistical significance. Discussion and Conclusion: The study confirmed that mechanical collimation significantly reduced dose parameters and radiation burden to radiosensitive organs. Results support the need for consistent use of collimation in clinical practice, as electronic cropping cannot substitute for physical collimation.
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