Congress:
EuroSafe Imaging 2017
Keywords:
CT, Thorax, Abdomen, Action 13 - Stakeholder engagement and collaboration, Action 2 - Clinical diagnostic reference levels (DRLs), Action 10 - Improved communication and collaboration of health professionals in radiation protection, Action 3 - Optimisation, diagnostic reference levels, image quality, Diagnostic procedure, Dosimetric comparison
Authors:
H. Brat, F. Zanca, S. Montandon, C. Thouly, C. Dias, D. Fournier, S. Imsand
DOI:
10.1594/esi2017/ESI-0039
Conclusion and Recommendations
Conclusion:
The purpose of this study was to compare diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for CT examinations when using clinical indication versus anatomical region protocols according to patients BMI.
1.
After protocol harmonisation,
anatomy-based and indication-based institutional DRLs were:
- Significantly lower than national abdomen P25 DRLs in BMI<25 patients
- Significantly lower than national chest P75 DRLs in BMI<25 patients
- Significantly lower than national abdomen and chest P75 DRLs in BMI>25 patients
2.
This study showed:
- a statistically significant impact in patient X-ray exposure reduction when considering specific abdomen CT protocols according to clinical indication and BMI,
compared to national DRLs and to institutional anatomical region protocols
- A P25 DRL target for BMI<25 and P75 DRL target for BMI>25 patients are achievable in (almost) all patients.
National DRLs are therefore not reflecting our clinical practice,
where protocols are adapted to clinical indication and BMI rather than to anatomical region.
Recommendations:
In that respect,
Indication & BMI based CT protocols might lead to "the right dose for the right diagnosis".