Abdominal radiography accounts for 25% of all radiography examinations but contributes over what percent of the gonad dose (GSD)?

• A. 50%
• B. 70%
• C. 60%
• D. 80%

Answer: (B)

Gonadal dose depends on how much of the gonads are exposed and how large the dose per exam is. Abdominal radiography commonly places the gonads within or very near the primary x‑ray beam, and the field size is often large to cover the abdomen and pelvis. Even though abdominal exams make up about a quarter of all radiographic studies, each one tends to deliver a relatively high gonadal dose compared with other common exams. As a result, the cumulative gonadal dose from abdominal radiography accounts for the majority of the total gonad dose across all procedures, typically around seventy percent. Other exam types either irradiate the gonads less directly (for example, chest or limb studies where the gonads are outside the field) or are less frequent, so their contribution to GSD is smaller.