Background/introduction
The importance of radiation safety and the awareness of the radiation burden to the population due to medical imaging has been emphasized by the 2013/59/Euratom directive of the European Union and the subsequent adoption of this directive into national law of the member states since the 6th of February 2018 [1].
In the Netherlands,
the NVvR (Nederlandse Vereniging voor Radiologie i.e.
Dutch Society for Radiology) has created a committee Technology and the NVKF (Nederlandse Vereniging voor Klinische Fysica i.e.
Dutch Society for Clinical Physics) has...
Description of activity and work performed
All available DICOM-RDSR (Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine – Radiation Dose Structured Report) for musculoskeletal diagnostic imaging examinations were retrospectively identified.
DICOM-RDSR were available from 4 digital X-ray machines and 3 CT-scanners [Table 1].
From 2 DXA-scanners (Dual X-ray Absorptiometry) dose information was manually extracted from the DICOM-images and for Scintigraphy systems dose calculations were based on administered activity [Table 1].
Only musculoskeletal examinations performed in the adult population (i.e.
equal or older than 18 years) were included if a minimum of 20 patients...
Conclusion and recommendations
Currently,
only one of the national Dutch DRLs is referring to a musculoskeletal imaging examination,
i.e.
X-pelvis AP (300 µGy.m2).
The average DAP of X-pelvis AP performed in our hospital ranged from 79 to 109 µGy.m2 and stayed well below this limit.
Personal/organisational information
Miraude EAPM Adriaensen,
MD,
MSc,
PhD
Consultant Radiologist and Epidemiologist
Department of Medical Imaging
Zuyderland Medical Center
Sittard-Geleen,
Heerlen,
Brunssum,
Kerkrade
The Netherlands
Email:
[email protected]
Ralph Berendsen,
MSc
Medical Physics Expert
Department of Clinical Physics
Zuyderland Medical Center
Sittard-Geleen,
Heerlen,
Brunssum,
Kerkrade
The Netherlands
Email:
[email protected]
References
[1] European Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom on basic safety standards for protection against the dangers arising from exposure to ionising radiation and repealing Directives 89/618/Euratom,
90/641/Euratom,
97/43/Euratom and 2003/122/Euratom.
OJ of the EU.
L13; 57:1-73 (2014).
[2] The Netherlands Commission on Radiation Dosimetry,
Diagnostische referentieniveaus in Nederland.
June 2012
[3] Radiation Risks from Medical X-ray Examinations as a Function of the Age and Sex of the Patient.
Wall BF,
Haylock R,
Jansen JTM,
Hillier MC,
Hart D,
Shrimton PC.
Health Protection Agency,
Centre for Radiation,
Chemical...