Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a serious clinical condition with high mortality rate and big risk of functional impairment of the respiratory and cardiovascular system after treatment. Early diagnosis is essential for the management of the disease, determining the outcome [1]. Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography has become the standard of care for the evaluation of patients with suspected PE. The method compliments clinical and laboratory results and has a high specificity and sensitivity in confirming the diagnosis, saving valuable time and allowing early treatment [2-4]. CTA...

Data was compared from CTAs performed in four centres in two European countries over a six-month period. Two centers performed the examinations on 64-slice MDCT scanners and two centers on a 128-slice MDCT scanner. The protocols were compared in regard to dose levels. Three radiologists, blinded for protocol type, evaluated the CTA images for subjective quality. Image assessment was performed in terms of anatomy visualisation and critical anatomical features using a 5-level scale, based on the European guidelines on quality criteria for computed tomography [5]....

Good clinical practice in radiology requires images of appropriate quality in order to ensure diagnostic accuracy with exposure to the lowest possible radiation dose. Thus, a comprehensive referral must exist. The referrer must ensure the completeness and accuracy of data relating to the patient’s relevant history, present condition and reasons for the examination request in order to avoid unnecessary patient exposure.

Dr. Ferenc Szatmari, MD Consultant Radiologist Affidea Hungary – GyorCenter,Hungary Milan Barati Radiographer Affidea Hungary Dr. Athanasia Papachristodoulou Consultant Radiologist Affidea Greece Thessaloniki/GR Katia Katsari, MSc Chief Medical Physicist Affidea BV Amsterdam, The Netherlands Prof. Dr. Rowland Illing, DM MRCS FRCR Radiologist, Chief Medical Officer Affidea BV Amsterdam, The Netherlands

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 European Guidelines on quality criteria for Computed Tomography, EUR 16262 EN.