Background/introduction
Periodic review of imaging protocols for different modalities is an essential part of continuous radiological quality assurance.[1]
CT examinations in the thoracic region are currently considered as a gold standard for the evaluation of various diseases.[2] Therefore,
it is particularly important to minimizepatients’ exposure,
which can be achieved by modifying and optimizing scanning parameters.
Multidetector CT protocols can be directly modified in a variety of ways.
These include using an automated exposure control system or modifying individual acquisition parameters such as the field of view,...
Description of activity and work performed
From June of 2017 to November of 2018,
dosimetric data of patients referred to our department for contrast-enhanced chest CT examinations were enrolled in the study.
Final study population consisted of1446and 1191 patients and scans were performed with a GE BrightSpeed S 16 slice (Scanner1) scanner and a Siemens SOMATOM Definition AS 64 slice (Scanner2) scanner,
respectively.
Dose management software automatically collects dosage information from the scanners and estimates the effective dose.
The effective dose values were calculated based on the DLP,
on the examined...
Conclusion and recommendations
The results of this study underline that continuous protocol revision has a great impact on the effective dose received by the patient.
With this kind of collaboration among radiologists,
radiographers and medical physicists,
we can improve patient safety and maintain radiology quality assurance.
Personal/organisational information
Ervin Balázs
Radiographer,
BSc
University of Debrecen Kenézy Gyula University Hospital
Department of Diagnostic Radiology Debrecen/HU
E-mail:
[email protected]
Zsolt Dankó
Physicist,
BSc
University of Debrecen Kenézy Gyula University Hospital
Department of Diagnostic Radiology Debrecen/HU
Péter Bágyi
Senior radiologist,
M.D.,
Head of Radiology Department
University of Debrecen Kenézy Gyula University Hospital
Department of Diagnostic Radiology Debrecen/HU
László Balkay
Senior Research Fellow,
PhD,
University of Debrecen Department of Medical Imaging,
Devision of Nuclear Medicine Debrecen/HU
LászlóUrbán
Physicist,
IT expert,
MSc
University of Debrecen Department of Medical Imaging,...
References
[1] Goo HW.
CT radiation dose optimization and estimation: an update for radiologists.
Korean J Radiol.
2011;13(1):1-11.
[2]Wielpütz MO,
Heußel CP,
Herth FJ,
Kauczor HU.
Radiological diagnosis in lung disease: factoring treatment options into the choice of diagnostic modality.
Dtsch Arztebl Int.
2014;111(11):181-7.
[3]Goldman AR,
Maldjian PD.
Reducing radiation dose in body CT.: A practical approach to optimizing CT protocols.
AJR 2013; 200:000–000