Dutch BVDV Control Program - Evaluation 2018 - 2023.

Since 2018, Dutch dairy farmers are obliged to opt for one of 4 routes to achieve BVDV freedom in the national BVDV eradication program. This observational study evaluated efficacy of the total BVDV program using indicators such as number of persistent infected cattle (PI's), percentage of dairy herds with a BVDV-free status, percentage of BVDV-free dairy herds with evidence of introduction of BVDV and, as well as a cost calculation per route. The Dutch BVDV program appeared to be successful as the percentage of BVDV-free dairy herds increased from 59 percent at the start of the program to 89 percent by the end of 2023.

Cervical and lumbar spine imaging after traffic and occupational accidents: Evaluation of the use of imaging techniques, cumulative radiation dose and associated lifetime cancer risk.

Purpose: To study number and type of imaging techniques, cumulative radiation exposure and radiation-induced risk from repeated imaging of cervical and lumbar spine attained after traffic or occupational accident.

Method: The study cohort comprised of 500 patients after traffic or occupational accident. Amount of radiography, CT and MRI procedures and injury severity were tallied for each patient.

Belgian multicentre study on lumbar spine imaging: Radiation dose and cost analysis; Evaluation of compliance with recommendations for efficient use of medical imaging.

Purpose: To assess compliance of lumbar spine imaging referrals with national imaging recommendations and to evaluate the impact of inappropriate imaging on the collective radiation dose and health insurance costs.

Method: In 2011 and 2015, 633 lumbar spine imaging referrals were evaluated across 9 Belgian hospitals. For each patient, a new clinical anamnesis and physical examination were performed.

Efficacy of a voluntary BVDV control programme: Experiences from the Netherlands.

The outcomes of a voluntary bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) control programme that has been in place in the Netherlands since 1997 were analysed. This 'BVDV-free' programme was studied in dairy herds in the period 1 August 2007 to 1 August 2013. The programme was based on a test and cull approach at the herd level, after which the BVDV status was monitored by testing young stock for antibodies against BVDV or by antigen testing of newborn calves.

The effective and collective dose to patients undergoing abdominopelvic and trunk computed tomography examinations: A Belgian multicentre study.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the radiation exposure to patients undergoing an abdominopelvic or a chest and abdominopelvic (trunk) CT examination and to assess compliance to imaging referral guidelines.

Methods: To this end, 357 standard abdominopelvic and trunk CT scans were collected from 8 Belgian institutions in 2011 and 2015. Effective dose (E) and collective dose were calculated using CT dose descriptors (CTDI and DLP), which were obtained from dose reports generated by the CT scanner.