Establishing diagnostic reference levels for interventional procedures in Kenya

PurposeTo quantify ionizing radiation exposure to patients during interventional procedures and establish national diagnostic reference levels (NDRLs) for clinical radiation exposure management.MethodsThe cumulative reference point air kerma, kerma area product, fluoroscopy time and other operational parameters were monitored for 50 children and 261 adult patient procedures in five catheterization medical laboratories in Kenya. To estimate the risk associated with the exposure, effective doses were derived from the kerma area product using conversion factors from Monte Carlo models.ResultsAbout 3% of the measured cumulative reference point air kerma for the interventional procedures approached the threshold dose limit with the potential to cause deterministic effects such as skin injuries. In interventional cardiology, the results obtained for both children and adults indicated 33% were below the diagnostic reference levels (DRLs). In adult interventional radiology, 29% for cumulative reference point air kerma, and 43% for kerma area product and fluoroscopy time respectively were below the diagnostic reference levels. NDRLs were proposed for routine use in the procedures considered and for the non-existent DRLs situations in paediatric interventional cardiology.ConclusionThe measured patient doses were above the DRLs available in the literature indicating a need for radiation optimization through, continuous monitoring and recording of patient dose. To promote radiation safety, facilities performing interventional procedures need to establish a radiation monitoring notification threshold for possible deterministic effects, in addition to the use of the newly established national diagnostic reference levels, as a quality assurance measure.     

Local diagnostic reference levels for skeletal surveys in suspected physical child abuse

IntroductionThe purpose was to determine if an age based, local diagnostic reference level for paediatric skeletal surveys could be established using retrospective data.MethodsAll children below two years of age referred for a primary skeletal survey as a result of suspected physical abuse during 2017 or 2018 (n = 45) were retrospectively included from a large Danish university hospital. The skeletal survey protocol included a total of 33 images. Dose Area Product (DAP) and acquisition parameters for all images were recorded from the Picture Archival and Communication System (PACS) and effective dose was estimated. The 75th percentile for DAP was considered as the diagnostic reference level (DRL).ResultsThe 75th percentile for DAP was 314 mGy1cm², 520 mGy1cm² and 779 mGy1cm² for children <1 month, 1–11 months and 12 < 24 months of age respectively. However, only the age group 1–11 months had a sufficient number of children (n = 27) to establish a local DRL. Thus, for the other groups the DAP result must be interpreted with caution. Effective dose was 0.19, 0.26 and 0.18 mSv for children <1, 1–11 months and 12 < 24 months of age respectively.ConclusionFor children between 1 and 11 months of age, a local diagnostic reference level of 520 mGy1cm² was determined. This may be used as an initial benchmark for primary skeletal surveys as a result of suspected physical abuse for comparison and future discussion.Implications for practiceWhile the data presented reflects the results of a single department, the suggested diagnostic reference level may be used as a benchmark for other departments when auditing skeletal survey radiation dose.     

儿童CT检查诊断参考水平典型值的初步探讨

目的统计以容积CT剂量指数(CTDI_(vol))、基于水当量直径(WD)的体型特异性剂量估算值(SSDEWD)及剂量长度乘积(DLP)为衡量指标的儿童头颅、胸部及腹盆部CT检查诊断参考水平(DRL)典型值,衡量本医疗机构CT检查辐射水平。方法回顾性收集2021年1月至2021年12月间南京医科大学附属儿童医院收治的头颅1391例,胸部1386例及腹盆部1035例患者CT影像资料,分别记录其年龄、CTDI_(vol)、DLP,手动测量最中间扫描图像的前后径(AP)、左右径(LAT)、兴趣区面积(AROI)及面积内CT值(CTROI),按照美国医学物理学家学会(AAPM)报告方法,计算有效直径(d)、WD、转换因子(f16/32XSIZE)及SSDEWD;将各检查部位分别按照年龄及体型进行分组:按照年龄分为<1、1~、5~、10~、15~岁5组,各分组患儿数分别为:头颅252、320、400、380及39例;胸部188、320、399、398及81例;腹盆部75、310、310、300及40例。头颅基于LAT分为<12.5、12.5~、14~、15~、16~cm 5组,每组患儿分别为151、222、319、399及300例;胸部、腹盆部基于d分为<15、15~、20~、25~、30~cm 5组,每组患儿分别为胸部275、527、400、165及19例;腹盆部403、410、184、34及4例。统计各分组内CTDI_(vol)、SSDEWD和DLP的第75百分位数,将其作为DRL典型值;并比较CTDI_(vol)和SSDEWD在衡量辐射剂量上的差异。结果按年龄分组,以CTDI_(vol)为衡量指标的头颅、胸部、腹盆部DRL典型值分别为14.9~24.1、1.8~4.5和2.0~7.5 mGy;以SSDEWD为衡量指标的DRL典型值分别为14.7~18.9、4.2~6.9和4.7~11.8 mGy;以DLP为衡量指标的DRL典型值分别为260~505、40~185和65~435 mGy·cm。按d分组,以CTDI_(vol)为衡量指标的胸部、腹盆部DRL典型值分别为1.8~6.8和2.2~9.2 mGy;以SSDEWD为衡量指标的DRL典型值分别为4.2~9.1和4.9~13.0 mGy;以DLP为衡量指标的DRL典型值分别为40~255和85~545 mGy·cm。头颅按LAT分组,以CTDI_(vol)为衡量指标的DRL典型值为14.1~23.1 mGy;以SSDEWD为衡量指标的DRL典型值为14.3~18.5 mGy;以DLP为衡量指标的DRL典型值为240~475 mGy·cm。头颅除年龄<1岁、LAT<12.5 cm分组外,CTDI_(vol)均大于SSDEWD,头颅CTDI_(vol)为(18.63±3.24)mGy,SSDEWD为(16.38±1.81)mGy,差异有统计学意义(t=48.78,P<0.001);胸部、腹盆部各分组CTDI_(vol)均小于SSDEWD,胸部CTDI_(vol)为(2.77±1.02)mGy,SSDEWD为(5.22±1.26)mGy,差异有统计学意义(t=-210.89,P<0.001);腹盆部CTDI_(vol)为(3.36±1.82)mGy,SSDEWD为(6.27±2.44)mGy,差异亦有统计学意义(t=-115.16,P<0.001)。结论本医疗机构DRL典型值与其他国家相比处于合理且较低水平,SSDEWD较CTDI_(vol)能更准确反映辐射剂量,亟需建立基于SSDEWD的DRLs。     

成年人CT扫描中辐射剂量和诊断参考水平的探讨

目的 通过全国范围内CT辐射剂量的调查,了解成年人辐射剂量的现状,进而探讨成年人CT的诊断参考水平不符,需要根据我国的实际建立自己的DRL。方法 2015年9月至2016年3月在全国30个省、自治区、直辖市调查168家医院,其中三级和二级医院各约占一半。随机调查年度状态检测合格的168台CT,包括了临床应用中普遍使用的品牌和型号。每台CT收集头颅、鼻窦、颈部、胸部、腹部、盆腔、腰椎、尿路造影、冠状动脉CT血管造影（CTA）、颅脑CTA、颈部CTA和胸腹CTA共12个检查项目、每个项目10个随机病例。以容积CT剂量指数（CTDI_vol）和剂量长度乘积（DLP）作为剂量参量,每个检查项目的所有数据按照大小排序,取25%、50%和75%位数,其中75%位数为参考水平。所得剂量数值与国际相关放射防护组织发布的DRL进行比较。结果 共收集16 244个标准体型成年病例的剂量数据,经逐一检查剔除274个无效数据,剩余15 970个病例数据。全国范围内不同的CT使用单位,同一检查项目的CTDI_vol、DLP和扫描期项都有很大差异。与国际放射防护组织发布的数据相比,不同检查项目的诊断参考水平的差异程度各不相同,颅脑诊断水平与参考值相当、胸部腹部较低。剂量指数值最大的几种检查项目为头颅、冠状动脉CTA、颅脑CTA和鼻窦。尿路造影的CTDI_vol虽然仅为20 mGy,但DLP却高达2 620 mGy·cm。结论 我国现有的CT剂量水平与国际相关组织发布的诊断标准水平（DRL）不符,需要根据我国的实际建立自己的DRL。     

我国CT检查成年人辐射剂量诊断参考水平的建立历程及解读

经过放射诊断专家、影像技术专家、辐射防护专家和专业技术人员10多年的探索,一项基于大规模国内调查数据而建立的CT检查成年人辐射剂量诊断参考水平(diagnostic reference level,DRL)以国家卫生行业标准(WS/T 637-2018)形式发布。其制定原则和方法符合国际惯例和我国的实际情况,基本上涵盖了我国成年人常见CT检查项目,与国外的DRL比较,整体处于一个合理或较低的剂量水平。给出的50%分位数(可能达到水平)和25%分位数(异常低剂量的提示水平)作为辐射剂量优化指导的额外工具。在日常放射诊断活动中,使辐射剂量与图像质量、临床诊断任务相匹配,降低非正当过高或过低剂量的发生频率。     

欧洲儿童CT成像的诊断参考水平

欧盟委员会（EC）发布了最新《欧洲儿童成像诊断参考水平指南》（辐射防护第185号）。该指南详细介绍了建立欧洲儿童成像诊断参考水平（DRL）的背景、目的、方法和用法,涵盖X射线摄影、透视、CT及介入放射学（IR）方面。回顾性分析了现有欧洲儿童国家级DRL（NDRL）的现状、优势和局限性,在现有辐射剂量数据资源的基础上,达成了一些共识,出台了欧洲儿童的DRL（EDRL）,为欧洲儿童的辐射防护优化提供了最新的指导意见。对于国内放射从业人员了解相关知识具有积极的借鉴意义。     

Investigation into patient doses for intravenous urography and proposed Irish diagnostic reference levels

With the introduction of Council Directive 97/43/Euratom, all member states should establish relevant diagnostic reference levels for X-ray examinations. Diagnostic reference levels help to facilitate standardisation and optimisation within departments and attempt to reduce dose variations between hospitals. High variation of individual patient doses for plain-film examinations by up to a factor of 75 was demonstrated by a previous Irish study, which highlighted the necessity for further investigation into other examinations in Ireland. The current work aimed to establish reference values for intravenous urography (IVU) examinations, an important contributor to collective dose. Eleven Irish hospitals were randomly selected, representing 30% of the total number of hospitals. Dose-area product (DAP) readings for IVUs were recorded along with technical and procedural details. Resultant data demonstrated mean hospital and individual patient DAP variations of a factor of 4 and 58, respectively. Stepwise regression analysis demonstrated that number of images taken, method of image acquisition and patient weight were the main causal agents for dose variations recorded. A proposed diagnostic reference level of 12 Gy cm² was established at the level of the third-quartile value of the mean hospital DAP values. This article provides evidence of large variations in DAP values for IVU examinations. It is hoped that application of the proposed DRL of 12 Gy cm² will reduce the size of these variations.     

Establishment of CT diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for a Singapore healthcare cluster

IntroductionThe use of computed tomography (CT) in healthcare institutions has increased rapidly in recent years. The Singapore Health Services (SingHealth) cluster of healthcare institutions has taken the first step in establishing a local cluster-wide CT Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRL) in Singapore. CT dose data from each institution were collected through two primary dosimetry metrics: volume CT dose index (CTDI_vol measured in mGy) and dose-length product (DLP measured in mGy.cm).MethodsData from 19 CT scanners in seven institutions under one of Singapore healthcare cluster were retrospectively collected and analysed. The five common adult CT examinations analysed were CT Brain (non-contrast enhanced), CT Chest (IV contrast enhanced), CT Kidney-Ureter-Bladder (CT KUB, non-contrast enhanced), CT Pulmonary Angiogram (CT PA, IV contrast enhanced) and CT Abdomen-Pelvis (CT AP, IV contrast enhanced, single phase). Median CTDI_vol and DLP values for the five CT examinations from each institution were derived, with the cluster DRLs determined as the 75th percentile of the distribution of the institution median dose values.ResultsA total of 2413 dose data points were collected over a six-month period from June to November 2020. The cluster CT DRLs for the five CT examinations were determined to be 47 mGy and 820 mGy.cm for CT Brain, 5.4 mGy and 225 mGy.cm for CT Chest, 6.7 mGy and 248 mGy.cm for CT PA, 4.6 mGy and 190 mGy.cm for CT KUB and 6.9 mGy and 349 mGy.cm for CT AP.ConclusionThe establishment of the cluster CT DRLs provided individual institutions with a better understanding if their CT doses are unusually high or low, while emphasising that these DRLs are not meant as hard dose limits or constraints to follow strictly.     

The establishment of local diagnostic reference levels for paediatric interventional cardiology

BackgroundThere is a paucity of information worldwide on radiation exposure in paediatric interventional cardiology. At present Nationally established Diagnostic Reference Levels exist for adult interventional cardiology procedures in the UK but little data is available for paediatrics. In addition, interventional cardiology has been identified as one the highest contributors to medical exposure to ionising radiation and children are more radiosensitive than adults.ObjectiveThis study sought to determine current radiation dose levels in paediatric interventional cardiology (IC) with a view to establishing local diagnostic reference levels (LDRL).MethodsRadiation dose and examination details were recorded for 354 paediatric patients examined by IC in a specialised paediatric centre in Europe. Radiation doses were recorded using a Dose Area Product meter along with examination details. Procedures were categorised as either diagnostic (A) or therapeutic (B). Data was further sub-divided into five age ranges; (1) newborn <1 year (2) 1 <5 years (3) 5 <10 years (4) 10 <15 years (5) 15 years and over. Proposed LDRL were calculated from the mean dose area product readings.ResultsThe mean patient age was 2.6 years (range 0.0 days–16 years) and weight was 14.9 kg (range 2.4–112 kg). LDRL for the five age groupings were calculated as 190, 421, 582, 1289 and 1776 cGycm² respectively.ConclusionLocal dose reference levels have been proposed for paediatric IC and can be used as a benchmark for other hospitals to compare against their own radiation doses.     

Clinical indication-based diagnostic reference levels for paediatric head computed tomography examinations in Kano Metropolis,northwestern Nigeria

IntroductionPaediatric patients are recognised to be at higher risk of developing radiation-induced cancer than adults because of rapidly growing organs and tissues which are vulnerable to cellular damage. The aim of the study was to determine indication based Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRL_CI) for paediatric head computed tomography (CT) examinations within Kano metropolis, Nigeria.MethodsCT dose index (CTDI_vol), dose length product (DLP) and other scan parameters were recorded for 113 paediatric undergoing CT head examinations. Different clinical indications were recorded and categorised in addition to patient age. Third quartile values (75th percentile) of the median dose were considered as DRL_CI. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to test for differences between DRL_CI, for different age groups, and variations among institutions. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23.0 was used for analysis. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.ResultsDRL_CI for Hydrocephalus for <5 years and 5–10 years was 28.10 mGy and 28.11 mGy with DLP of 1623.20 mGy cm and 1623.21 mGy cm, respectively. The 11–15 year group recorded 29.10 mGy and 1625.20 mGy cm. Indications of haemorrhage/trauma and post-seizure imaging all had same values for <5 years and 5–10 years (28.10 mGy and 1623.20 mGy cm) while the 11 to 15-year group recorded 39.60 mGy and 1626 mGy cm. Intracranial Space Occupying lesion had the same DRL_CI value for < 5years and 5–10 years (29.0 mGy and 1600 mGy cm, respectively) the 11 to 15-year group recorded values of 46.20 mGy and 1663.4 mGy cm. There was no statistically significant difference between DRL_CI for <5 years and 5 to 10-year age groups (p = 0.199), while different centres showed some statistically significant relationships (p = 0.02).ConclusionThe study noted dose differences between age groups less than 10 years and above ten years, there were some statistically significant relationship with DRL_CI. Dose optimisation techniques for paediatric examinations together with selection of the right protocol for paediatric head CT are necessary.Implications for practiceThe study has provided DRL_CI for paediatric head CT examinations. These values can be used for future comparisons and as a potential dose optimisation tool. Such data can also guide radiographers when selecting appropriate parameters for indication-based CT examination to help achieve a low dose with acceptable image quality.     

Institutional (local) diagnostic reference levels in fluoroscopically guided spine surgery

In this study, institutional (local) diagnostic reference levels (LDRLs) and action levels (ALs) for spine interventional procedures are reported. Fluoroscopy time (FT), kerma area product (KAP), cumulative dose (CD), as well as anatomical, clinical and technical factors affecting procedure complexity were recorded for 156 patients who underwent cervical and thoraco-lumbar interventions. Patient entrance surface dose (ESD), effective dose (ED), thyroid absorbed dose and gonadal dose were also estimated, based on KAP measurements. The LDRLs and ALs were calculated as the 75th and 10th percentile of FT, KAP and CD values for the total group of patients, as well as utilizing the weight banding method and the size correction method. For the total distribution of patients, the LDRLs for cervical and thoraco-lumbar interventions are 0.15 min and 0.29 min for FT values, 0.10 Gy cm² and 0.71 Gy cm² for KAP values, as well as 0.47 mGy and 3.24 mGy for CD values, respectively. The corresponding ALs are 0.03 min and 0.03 min, 0.01 Gy cm² and 0.07 Gy cm², as well as 0.05 mGy and 0.33 mGy for FT, KAP and CD values, respectively. The age and treated levels had a significant influence on the reference dose values only for cervical interventions, whereas none of the other included factors showed statistically significant association for both cervical and thoraco-lumbar interventions. The weight banding method resulted to reference values comparable to those obtained for the whole group of patients, while the size correction method resulted to lower values. The mean ESD values were 1.58 mGy (range 0.02–13.58 mGy) for cervical and 23 mGy (range 0.004–390.3 mGy) for thoraco-lumbar interventions. The corresponding mean ED values were 0.012 mSv (range 0.001–0.097 mSv) and 0.124 mSv (range 0.00002–2.11 mSv), respectively. The mean thyroid and gonadal doses were 0.14 mGy (range 0.002–1.12 mGy) and 0.044 mGy (range 0.000003–1.56 mGy), respectively. The LDRLs and ALs reported could contribute in the effort for establishing national DRLs and for increasing neurosurgeons awareness regarding patient dose and radiation protection issues during spine interventional procedures.     

CT radiation dose in children: a survey to establish age-based diagnostic reference levels in Switzerland

This work aimed at assessing the doses delivered in Switzerland to paediatric patients during computed tomography (CT) examinations of the brain, chest and abdomen, and at establishing diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for various age groups. Forms were sent to the ten centres performing CT on children, addressing the demographics, the indication and the scanning parameters: number of series, kilovoltage, tube current, rotation time, reconstruction slice thickness and pitch, volume CT dose index (CTDI(vol)) and dose length product (DLP). Per age group, the proposed DRLs for brain, chest and abdomen are, respectively, in terms of CTDI(vol): 20, 30, 40, 60 mGy; 5, 8, 10, 12 mGy; 7, 9, 13, 16 mGy; and in terms of DLP: 270, 420, 560, 1,000 mGy cm; 110, 200, 220, 460 mGy cm; 130, 300, 380, 500 mGy cm. An optimisation process should be initiated to reduce the spread in dose recorded in this study. A major element of this process should be the use of DRLs.     

Diagnostic reference levels in plain radiography for paediatric imaging: A Portuguese study

ObjectiveTo determine diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for the most frequent paediatric plain radiography examinations in Portugal (chest, pelvis and abdomen) and to characterise a standard paediatric patient for each age group used in literature.MethodsAnthropometric data was collected from 9935 patients. Each age group (<1, 1–<5, 5–<10, 10–<16, ≥16) was categorised by the median values of weight, height and BMI, to define a standard patient. Exposure parameters, kerma-area product (KAP-mGy cm²) and entrance surface air kerma (ESAK-μGy) were collected. DRLs for KAP and ESAK were defined as the 75th percentile (P75) of dose values and presented by age and weight.ResultsIn each age group the P75 of KAP varied from 11 to 77 mGy cm² for chest; 23–816 mGy cm² for pelvis; 25–979 mGy cm² for abdomen. The P75 of ESAK varied from 49 to 67 μGy for chest; 98–1129 μGy for pelvis and 70–1060 μGy for abdomen.ConclusionThe P75 of dose values determined in this study were lower than those published in literature. When available, weight is the preferred parameter to categorise paediatric patients. The large ranges of dose values found in this study, demonstrates a clear need for the optimisation and harmonisation of practice.     

Quality control and diagnostic reference levels in intraoral dental radiographic facilities

OBJECTIVES: A quality control program in intraoral radiographic equipment was conducted aiming to verify compliance with the latest legal requirements and to measure radiation dose in order to contribute to the establishment of appropriate diagnostic reference levels. METHODS: This study was performed in 191 intraoral radiographic facilities in Northern Greece. The quality control program included visual inspection of the unit, registration of its characteristics, measurement and calculation of several radiological parameters, including entrance surface dose, and overall compliance with legislation requirements. RESULTS: Most units (61.8%) were found to perform within their corresponding specifications. Exposure timer accuracy was the parameter that the dental units showed the poorest performance. Inadequate beam filtration was found in almost half of the older 50 kVp units. Entrance surface dose showed significant discrepancies, varying from 0.30 mGy to 16.09 mGy with a third quartile value of 3.37 mGy. CONCLUSIONS: A diagnostic reference level of 3.5 mGy is considered to be a realistic value for all intraoral equipment currently operating in Greece. However, for newly installed units, a value of 2.8 mGy is considered to be more appropriate.     

上海市成年人胸部正位X射线摄影的剂量水平与分析

目的 掌握上海市成年人胸部后前位(正位)X射线摄影的剂量水平现状,分析影响剂量水平的主要因素.方法 用热释光剂量元件测量照射野中心的最大剂量(入射体表剂量).根据普通X射线机、计算机摄影设备CR和数字摄影设备DR 3大类设备数量及其在各级医院分布的比例,共测量1032名成年人在接受胸部正位X射线摄影时的入射体表剂量,并记录相应的主要摄影参数及相关信息.分析入射体表剂量均值与医院等级、设备类型以及主要摄影参数的差异情况.结果 上海市成年人胸部正位X射线摄影的入射体表剂量算术均值为0.23 mGy,其第75百分位数为0.28 mGy,小于我国目前推荐的诊断参考水平0.40 mGy.入射体表剂量均值与医院等级、设备类型以及常用摄影参数等显著相关.结论 与20世纪末相比,上海市成年人胸部正位X射线摄影的入射体表剂量水平下降明显,并存在可进一步下降的条件.     

59521例CT检查辐射剂量分析

目的:分析59521例CT检查的辐射剂量数据,建立医院水平的CT诊断剂量参考水平.方法:使用CT辐射剂量计算软件,回顾性分析本院2015年7月-2016年6月共59521例成人的CT检查数据.按照检查部位分别计算CT容积剂量指数(CTDIv.1)、体型特异性剂量估计(SSDE)、剂量长度乘积(DLP)和有效剂量(ED)的中位数及四分位数间距(IQR),取CTDIvol和DLP的第3个四分位数(Q3)为诊断剂量参考水平(DRL),其中胸部CT的数据分为低剂量、单期、多期和全部扫描分别计算,腹部CT的数据分为单期、多期和全部检查分别计算.结果:各部位CTDIvol的DRL:头部为45.2 mGy;胸部低剂量为1.3 mGy,单期扫描为11.5 mGy,多期扫描为11.4 mGy,总剂量为11.8 mGy;腹部单期扫描为20.6 mGy,多期扫描为20.2 mGy,总剂量为20.6 mGy;冠状动脉为12.9 mGy.各部位DLP的DRL:头部为569.8 mGy· cm;胸部低剂量为42.0 mGy·cm,单期扫描为399.0 mGy·cm,多期扫描为968.5 mGy·cm,总剂量为474.0 mGy·cm;腹部单期扫描为958.0 mGy·cm,多期扫描为2419.1 mGy·cm,总剂量为2045.1 mGy·cm;冠状动脉为328.0 mGy·cm.结论:对临床日常工作中CT检查辐射剂量数据的汇总分析有助于在医院水平评估CT辐射剂量.     

Establishment of Local Diagnostic Reference Levels of Pediatric Abdominopelvic and Chest CT Examinations Based on the Body Weight and Size in Korea

ObjectiveThe purposes of this study were to analyze the radiation doses for pediatric abdominopelvic and chest CT examinations from university hospitals in Korea and to establish the local diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) based on the body weight and size.Materials and MethodsAt seven university hospitals in Korea, 2494 CT examinations of patients aged 15 years or younger (1625 abdominopelvic and 869 chest CT examinations) between January and December 2017 were analyzed in this study. CT scans were transferred to commercial automated dose management software for the analysis after being de-identified. DRLs were calculated after grouping the patients according to the body weight and effective diameter. DRLs were set at the 75th percentile of the distribution of each institution''s typical values.ResultsFor body weights of 5, 15, 30, 50, and 80 kg, DRLs (volume CT dose index [CTDI_vol]) were 1.4, 2.2, 2.7, 4.0, and 4.7 mGy, respectively, for abdominopelvic CT and 1.2, 1.5, 2.3, 3.7, and 5.8 mGy, respectively, for chest CT. For effective diameters of < 13 cm, 14–16 cm, 17–20 cm, 21–24 cm, and > 24 cm, DRLs (size-specific dose estimates [SSDE]) were 4.1, 5.0, 5.7, 7.1, and 7.2 mGy, respectively, for abdominopelvic CT and 2.8, 4.6, 4.3, 5.3, and 7.5 mGy, respectively, for chest CT. SSDE was greater than CTDI_vol in all age groups. Overall, the local DRL was lower than DRLs in previously conducted dose surveys and other countries.ConclusionOur study set local DRLs in pediatric abdominopelvic and chest CT examinations for the body weight and size. Further research involving more facilities and CT examinations is required to develop national DRLs and update the current DRLs.     

Guidelines from the European Society of Breast Imaging for diagnostic interventional breast procedures

The aim of the breast team is to obtain a definitive, nonoperative diagnosis of all potential breast abnormalities in a timely and cost-effective way. Percutaneous needle biopsy with its high sensitivity and specificity should now be standard practice, removing the need for open surgical biopsy or frozen section. For patients with cancer, needle biopsy provides a cost-effective and rapid way of providing not only a definitive diagnosis but prognostic information, allowing prompt discussion of treatment options, be they surgical or medical. Early removal of uncertainty also allows better psychosocial adjustment to the disease. Patients with benign conditions found either by themselves or as a result of population or opportunistic screening can be promptly reassured and discharged, removing the health care and psychological costs of surgical biopsy or repeated follow-up. Radiologists involved in breast imaging should ensure that they have the necessary skills to carry out core biopsy and/or fine-needle aspiration (FNA) under all forms of image guidance. This paper provides guidelines on best practice for diagnostic interventional breast procedures and standards, against which all practitioners should audit themselves, from the European Society of Breast Imaging. On behalf of EUSOBI Committee (see:). An erratum to this article can be found at     

宁夏成年人常见CT检查项目的辐射剂量状况调查研究

目的 调查宁夏地区成年人常见CT检查项目的辐射剂量现状,为建立宁夏成年人患者CT检查的第一个诊断参考水平提供依据。方法 采用分层整群抽样的方法,对宁夏地区不同规模医疗机构的不同品牌及型号CT扫描设备的使用情况及辐射状况进行调查,采用间隔抽样,获取被调查单位每日不同检查项目的扫描参数及辐射剂量值。登记医院、CT设备、检查项目、检查类型及患者的基本信息,记录各检查项目的CT扫描参数、CT剂量指数（CTDI_vol）和剂量长度乘积（DLP）值,计算患者的有效剂量E值;对所得数据按检查项目分组统计分析,并与其他国家推荐的诊断参考水平（DRL）值和辐射剂量状况进行比较。结果 调查宁夏地区45家医疗机构（公立三甲10家、公立三乙5家、公立二甲23家、民营医院5家、体检中心2家）6个生产品牌的58台CT设备,成年人患者4 952名。常见检查项目的CTDI_vol、DLP值及患者E值的第75百分位数值（P₇₅）为：头颅65.67 mGy、860.74 mGy ·cm、1.64 mSv;颈部29.32 mGy、490.00 mGy ·cm、2.83 mSv,颈部增强36.92 mGy、954.42 mGy ·cm、4.87 mSv;胸部11.50 mGy、382.06 mGy ·cm、5.68 mSv,胸部增强45.8 mGy、1 713.22 mGy ·cm、25.01 mSv;上腹部20.1 mGy、506.59 mGy ·cm、7.75 mSv,上腹部增强50.07 mGy、1 434.19 mGy ·cm、21.94 mSv;腹盆部14.33 mGy、670.78 mGy ·cm、10.26 mSv,腹盆部增强48 mGy、2 294 mGy ·cm、35.10 mSv;盆腔16.1 mGy、471.58 mGy ·cm、6.08 mSv,盆腔增强31.04 mGy、1 138.78 mGy ·cm、14.69 mSv。结论 宁夏地区头颅、颈部、胸部及盆腔CT辐射剂量较其他国家偏低或相差不大,而腹部CT辐射剂量明显高于其他国家,迫切需要对宁夏腹部CT扫描方案进行优化。