What does the term "entrance skin exposure" (ESE) refer to?

The term "entrance skin exposure" (ESE) specifically refers to the radiation dose received at the surface of the skin. It is crucial in radiation protection to evaluate and monitor the radiation exposure to patients, as ESE gives a direct measure of the dose that actually reaches the skin during a radiological procedure. This measurement helps in determining whether the dose is within safe limits and assists in optimizing the imaging protocols to reduce unnecessary exposure while maintaining diagnostic effectiveness.

In contrast, the total dose absorbed by the body encompasses all regions and tissues receiving radiation, not just the skin surface. The average dose across all exposures provides a broader perspective but does not specifically address the skin's dose. The maximum dose received by any body part focuses on the highest exposure among various anatomical areas, which can be relevant in assessing the risk of radiation effects, but it does not pinpoint the significance of the skin's exposure specifically, like the concept of ESE does.