Different image qualities are needed for different clinical indications of the same anatomical area. A kidney stone evaluation, for example, can be performed using a lower radiation dose than it would be required for an evaluation of appendicitis. This is because the detection of high-contrast structures is less affected by high image noise than low-contrast structures. Clinical indications dictate the main parameters that affect patient dose from CT such as scanning length, collimation and number of phases. Therefore, dose reference levels (DRLs) should be specified...

The main objectives of this project are to a) conduct a European survey to collect the data needed to establish DRLs for the, from the radiation protection perspective, most important x-ray imaging tasks in Europe; b) to specify up-to-date DRLs for these clinical tasks; and c) to organise a workshop to disseminate and discuss the results of this project with Member States and the relevant national, European and international stakeholders. The workshop will also identify the need for further national and local actions on establishing,...

The project's launch is perfectly in line with ESR's and EuroSafe Imaging's consequent advocacy efforts for a new concept of clinical diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) focusing on clinical indications instead of anatomical regions. ESR and EuroSafe Imaging will continue promoting the concept of clinical DRLs and is advocating for the establishment of another project dedicated to clinical DRLs for paediatric patients.

Project Management: European Society of Radiology (ESR), [email protected] The project has received funding from the European Commission under Service Contract No° ENER/2017/NUCL/SI2.759174.

http://www.eurosafeimaging.org/euclid