scholarly journals Estimated collective effective dose to the population from radiological examinations in Slovenia

2015 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dejan Zontar ◽  
Urban Zdesar ◽  
Dimitrij Kuhelj ◽  
Dean Pekarovic ◽  
Damijan Skrk

Abstract Background. The aim of the study was to systematically evaluate population exposure from diagnostic and interventional radiological procedures in Slovenia. Methods. The study was conducted in scope of the “Dose Datamed 2” project. A standard methodology based on 20 selected radiological procedures was adopted. Frequencies of the procedures were determined via questionnaires that were sent to all providers of radiological procedures while data about patient exposure per procedure were collected from existing databases. Collective effective dose to the population and effective dose per capita were estimated from the collected data (DLP for CT, MGD for mammography and DAP for other procedures) using dose conversion factors. Results. The total collective effective dose to the population from radiological in 2011 was estimated to 1300 manSv and an effective dose per capita to 0.6 mSv of which approximately 2/3 are due to CT procedures. Conclusions. The first systematic study of population exposure to ionising radiation from radiological procedures in Slovenia was performed. The results show that the exposure in Slovenia is under the European average. It confirmed large contributions of computed tomography and interventional procedures, identifying them as the areas that deserve special attention when it comes to justification and optimisation.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuti Amalia ◽  

X-ray-based medical imaging has become one of the most popular imaging modalities today. Computed tomography (CT) and interventional procedures can result in higher radiation exposure for patients compared to other radiographic examinations. There has been an increase in the effective dose of > 100 mSv from some procedures. Recent studies have shown that multiphase CT imaging and repeated imaging provide larger radiation doses in some patients. In considering the effective dose (E) for each patient, it is essential to note that the risk per Sv tends to be greater on average in pediatric patients than in adults. In addition, E can be used to describe the possible risk to the patient. Dose management is essential in monitoring and controlling patient doses. Consistent and systematic monitoring of radiation dose is needed to improve the quality of diagnostic and interventional radiology services. Dose monitoring activities include performance control, optimization of protocols used, corrective actions against non-standard practices, and raising awareness for radiation workers to minimize risks. The use of a dose monitoring system (Dose Monitoring System) responds to concerns about the radiation risk that comes from diagnostic imaging modalities, particularly Computed Tomography (CT) and fluoroscopy in interventional procedures. The dose monitoring system (Dose Monitoring System) has developed into a requirement in monitoring and controlling patient doses and is one of the applications of radiation safety culture that can improve diagnostic and interventional radiology services. Keywords: Computed tomography (CT), effective dose, interventional procedure


2013 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 304-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damijan Skrk ◽  
Dejan Zontar

Abstract Background. A national survey of patient exposure from nuclear medicine diagnostic procedures was performed by Slovenian Radiation Protection Administration in order to estimate their contribution to the collective effective dose to the population of Slovenia. Methods. A set of 36 examinations with the highest contributions to the collective effective dose was identified. Data about frequencies and average administered activities of radioisotopes used for those examinations were collected from all nuclear medicine departments in Slovenia. A collective effective dose to the population and an effective dose per capita were estimated from the collected data using dose conversion factors. Results. The total collective effective dose to the population from nuclear medicine diagnostic procedures in 2011 was estimated to 102 manSv, giving an effective dose per capita of 0.05 mSv. Conclusions. The comparison of results of this study with studies performed in other countries indicates that the nuclear medicine providers in Slovenia are well aware of the importance of patient protection measures and of optimisation of procedures.


2010 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 260-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Björkdahl ◽  
Ulf Nyman

Background: Concern has been raised regarding the mounting collective radiation doses from computed tomography (CT), increasing the risk of radiation-induced cancers in exposed populations. Purpose: To compare radiation dose and image quality in a chest phantom and in patients for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) at 100 and 120 peak kilovoltage (kVp) using 16-multichannel detector computed tomography (MDCT). Material and Methods: A 20-ml syringe containing 12 mg I/ml was scanned in a chest phantom at 100/120 kVp and 25 milliampere seconds (mAs). Consecutive patients underwent 100 kVp ( n = 50) and 120 kVp ( n = 50) 16-MDCT using a “quality reference” effective mAs of 100, 300 mg I/kg, and a 12-s injection duration. Attenuation (CT number), image noise (1 standard deviation), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR; fresh clot = 70 HU) of the contrast medium syringe and pulmonary arteries were evaluated on 3-mm-thick slices. Subjective image quality was assessed. Computed tomography dose index (CTDIvol) and dose–length product (DLP) were presented by the CT software, and effective dose was estimated. Results: Mean values in the chest phantom and patients changed as follows when X-ray tube potential decreased from 120 to 100 kVp: attenuation +23% and +40%, noise +38% and +48%, CNR −6% and 0%, and CTDIvol −38% and −40%, respectively. Mean DLP and effective dose in the patients decreased by 42% and 45%, respectively. Subjective image quality was excellent or adequate in 49/48 patients at 100/120 kVp. No patient with a negative CT had any thromboembolism diagnosed during 3-month follow-up. Conclusion: By reducing X-ray tube potential from 120 to 100 kVp, while keeping all other scanning parameters unchanged, the radiation dose to the patient may be almost halved without deterioration of diagnostic quality, which may be of particular benefit in young individuals.


Dose-Response ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 155932581880583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernesto Forte ◽  
Serena Monti ◽  
Chiara Anna Parente ◽  
Lukas Beyer ◽  
Roberto De Rosa ◽  
...  

Purpose: To compare image quality and radiation dose among different protocols in patients who underwent a 128-slice dual source computed tomography coronary angiography (DSCT-CTCA). Methods: Ninety patients were retrospectively grouped according to heart rate (HR): 26 patients (group A) with stable HR ≤60 bpm were acquired using high pitch spiral mode (FLASH); 48 patients (group B) with irregular HR ≤60 bpm or stable HR between 60 and 70 bpm using step and shoot mode; and 16 patients (group C) with irregular HR >60 bpm or stable HR ≥70 bpm by retrospective electrocardiogram pulsing acquisition. Signal to noise ratio (SNR) and contrast to noise ratio (CNR) were measured for the main vascular structures. Moreover, the dose-length product and the effective dose were assessed. Results: Both SNR and CNR were higher in group A compared to group C (18.27 ± 0.32 vs 11.22 ± 0.50 and 16.75 ± 0.32 vs 10.17 ± 0.50; P = .001). The effective dose was lower in groups A and B (2.09 ± 1.27 mSv and 4.60 ± 2.78 mSv, respectively) compared to group C (9.61 ± 5.95 mSv) P < .0001. Conclusion: The correct selection of a low-dose, HR-matched CTCA scan protocol with a DSCT scanner provides substantial reduction of radiation exposure and better SNR and CNR.


2001 ◽  
Vol 57 (8) ◽  
pp. 939-946 ◽  
Author(s):  
HIDEAKI OKAMOTO ◽  
MASAYOSHI MIYAZAKI ◽  
AKITOSHI YONEDA ◽  
KEIICHI SUZUKI ◽  
KOUKI UEDA ◽  
...  

1992 ◽  
Vol 43 (1-4) ◽  
pp. 37-40
Author(s):  
K.A. Jessen ◽  
J.J. Christensen ◽  
J. Jørgensen ◽  
J. Petersen ◽  
E.W. Sørensen

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