How much can thyroid collars reduce scatter radiation to the thyroid?

Thyroid collars are specifically designed to protect the thyroid gland from scatter radiation during imaging procedures, particularly in dental and medical radiology. The correct figure indicating how much scatter radiation can be reduced by the use of thyroid collars is approximately 50%.

This level of protection is significant because the thyroid is particularly sensitive to radiation exposure, and even a small reduction in radiation can have a substantial impact on minimizing the risk of injury or adverse effects. The design and material of the thyroid collar are engineered to absorb and deflect scatter radiation effectively, limiting the dose received by this sensitive gland.

In practice, the effectiveness of thyroid collars may vary based on several factors, including the type of imaging being performed and the positioning of the patient, but studies and recommendations from radiation safety guidelines have consistently shown that around a 50% reduction is a reasonable estimate for the protection offered by properly used thyroid collars. This underscores the importance of using protective equipment in radiological procedures to ensure patient safety.