[Diagnostic x-ray examinations in Poland in 2004 in view of the population exposure: the assessment of structure and trends].
INTRODUCTION: The paper presents the results of the Polish national survey of medical x-ray examinations performed in 2004. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was used to collect the data on the number and types of x-ray examinations. The data covered most of x-ray laboratories in Poland, being under the dosimetric surveillance performed by the Radiation Protection Department at the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine in Lódź. RESULTS: The number of x-ray procedures in Poland in the year 2004 accounted for 32.4 million examinations, i.e. 830 procedures per 1000 inhabitants; the latter figure includes 65 specialist procedures and 61 dental examinations per 1000 of inhabitants, each. They were performed in over 3000 x-ray laboratories, including operational theatres and dental units. The majority of patients were at the age of 40-60 years and women made over 50% of all those examined. CONCLUSIONS. Owing to the modification of the heath care organisation, the profile of examinations performed in x-ray laboratories has changed. Nevertheless, conventional x-ray examinations are still in a majority, among which radiographies of chest, spine and limbs are most frequently performed. It should be emphasised that the number of the hip joint radiographies in infants and small children have decreased and practically photofluorographic examinations have been eliminated from the diagnostic practice. The number of specialist procedures has evidently increased, and thus the frequency of these procedures in Poland and other European countries is comparable.