Towards faster quality control of personal radiation protective equipment using CT scout or a dedicated biplanar radiography device.

Quality control (QC) of personal radiation protective equipment (PRPE) is essential to detect tears and holes in the attenuating layers. Routinely, this QC is performed using fluoroscopy on a conventional X-ray table. However, such a QC procedure is laborious and time consuming.

Comparison of nasal microbiota between preterm and full-term infants in early life.

Background: The respiratory microbiota influences infant immune system maturation. Little is known about how perinatal, physiological, and environmental exposures impact the nasal microbiota in preterm infants after discharge, or nasal microbiota differences between preterm and healthy full-term infants.

Methods: Nasal swabs (from 136 preterm and 299 full-term infants at mean postmenstrual age of 45 weeks from the prospective Basel-Bern Infant Lung Development cohort) were analyzed by 16S-rRNA gene amplification and sequencing (Illumina MiSeq).

Influence of X-ray spectrum and bowtie filter characterisation on the accuracy of Monte Carlo simulated organ doses: Validation in a whole-body CT scanning mode.

Purpose: For patient-specific CT dosimetry, Monte Carlo dose simulations require an accurate description of the CT scanner. However, quantitative spectral information and information on the bowtie filter material and shape from the manufacturer is often not available. In this study, the influence of different X-ray spectra and bowtie filter characterisation methods on simulated CT organ doses is studied.

Prediction Model for Defects in Lead and Lead-free Aprons.

Personal radiation protective equipment (PRPE) is prone to defects in the attenuating layers, resulting in inadequate protection. Hence, quality control (QC) of PRPE is needed to assess its integrity. Unfortunately, QC of PRPE is laborious and time consuming.

Impact of deep learning image reconstruction on volumetric accuracy and image quality of pulmonary nodules with different morphologies in low-dose CT.

Background: This study systematically compares the impact of innovative deep learning image reconstruction (DLIR, TrueFidelity) to conventionally used iterative reconstruction (IR) on nodule volumetry and subjective image quality (IQ) at highly reduced radiation doses. This is essential in the context of low-dose CT lung cancer screening where accurate volumetry and characterization of pulmonary nodules in repeated CT scanning are indispensable.

Materials And Methods: A standardized CT dataset was established using an anthropomorphic chest phantom (Lungman, Kyoto Kaguku Inc.

Evaluation of Virtual Grid processed clinical pelvic radiographs.

Background: A physical scatter grid is not often used in pelvic bedside examinations. However, multiple studies regarding scatter correction software (SC SW) are available for mobile chest radiography but the results are unclear for pelvic radiography.

Purpose: We evaluated SC SW of Fujifilm (Virtual Grid) on gridless pelvic radiographs obtained from a human Thiel-embalmed body to investigate the potential of Virtual Grid in pelvic bedside examinations.

Pregnancy and acromegaly: clinical outcomes of retrospectively analysed data from the German acromegaly registry.

Context: Acromegaly is a rare disease caused by excessive growth hormone (GH) secretion, mostly induced by pituitary adenomas. The care of pregnant women with acromegaly is challenging, in part due to existing clinical data being limited and not entirely consistent with regard to potential risks for mother and child.

Objective: To retrospectively examine data on pregnancy and maternal as well as neonatal outcomes in patients with acromegaly.

Accuracy of patient-specific CT organ doses from Monte Carlo simulations: influence of CT-based voxel models.

Monte Carlo simulations using patient CT images as input are the gold standard to perform patient-specific dosimetry. However, in standard clinical practice patient's CT images are limited to the reconstructed CT scan range. In this study, organ dose calculations were performed with ImpactMC for chest and cardiac CT using whole-body and anatomy-specific voxel models to estimate the accuracy of CT organ doses based on the latter model.

Absolute ground truth-based validation of computer-aided nodule detection and volumetry in low-dose CT imaging.

Purpose: To validate the performance of computer-aided detection (CAD) and volumetry software using an anthropomorphic phantom with a ground truth (GT) set of 3D-printed nodules.

Methods: The Kyoto Kaguku Lungman phantom, containing 3D-printed solid nodules including six diameters (4 to 9 mm) and three morphologies (smooth, lobulated, spiculated), was scanned at varying CTDI levels (6.04, 1.

Multimodality 3D image fusion with live fluoroscopy reduces radiation dose during catheterization of congenital heart defects.

Introduction: Imaging fusion technology is promising as it is radiation and contrast sparing. Herein, we compare conventional biplane angiography to multimodality image fusion with live fluoroscopy using two-dimensional (2D)-three-dimensional (3D) registration (MMIF) and assess MMIF impact on radiation exposure and contrast volume during cardiac catheterization of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD).

Methods: We matched institutional MMIF procedures and controls according to patient characteristics (body mass index, age, and gender) and the seven procedure-type subgroups.

Development, Feasibility, and Knowledge Impact of a Massive Open Online Course on Radiation Safety: A Multicentre Prospective Cohort Study.

Objective: This study reports the development of an innovative, interactive Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) teaching radiation safety principles in the vascular workplace, using stepwise e-learning with multiple choice question tests (MCQs), educational videos, and a serious game. The aim was to study the MOOC impact on radiation safety knowledge and assess its feasibility and acceptability.

Methods: An international multicentre prospective study included team members active in the hybrid operating room.

EFOMP policy statement NO. 19: Dosimetry in nuclear medicine therapy - Molecular radiotherapy.

The European Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom (BSS Directive) includes optimisation of treatment with radiotherapeutic procedures based on patient dosimetry and verification of the absorbed doses delivered. The present policy statement summarises aspects of three directives relating to the therapeutic use of radiopharmaceuticals and medical devices, and outlines the steps needed for implementation of patient dosimetry for radioactive drugs. To support the transition from administrations of fixed activities to personalised treatments based on patient-specific dosimetry, EFOMP presents a number of recommendations including: increased networking between centres and disciplines to support data collection and development of codes-of-practice; resourcing to support an infrastructure that permits routine patient dosimetry; research funding to support investigation into individualised treatments; inter-disciplinary training and education programmes; and support for investigator led clinical trials.

Peripheral blood lymphocytes differ in DNA damage response after exposure to X-rays with different physical properties.

In radiology, low X-ray energies (<140 keV) are used to obtain an optimal image while in radiotherapy, higher X-ray energies (MeV) are used to eradicate tumor tissue. In radiation research, both these X-ray energies being used to extrapolate research to clinical practice. However, the energy deposition of X-rays depends on their energy spectrum, which might lead to changes in biological response.

Antibiotics in pregnancy influence nasal microbiome and respiratory morbidity in infancy.

Background: The effects of prenatal antibiotic exposure on respiratory morbidity in infancy and the involved mechanisms are still poorly understood. We aimed to examine whether prenatal antibiotic exposure in the third trimester is associated with nasal microbiome and respiratory morbidity in infancy and at school age, and whether this association with respiratory morbidity is mediated by the nasal microbiome.

Methods: We performed 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing (regions V3-V4) on nasal swabs obtained from 296 healthy term infants from the prospective Basel-Bern birth cohort (BILD) at age 4-6 weeks.

A systematic review and meta-analysis on the radiation dose of computed tomography in hybrid nuclear medicine imaging.

Background: While diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) are well-established for the radiopharmaceutical part, published DRLs for the CT component of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) are limited. This systematic review and meta-analysis provides an overview of the different objectives of CT in hybrid imaging and summarizes reported CT dose values for the most common PET/CT and SPECT/CT examinations. Also, an overview of already proposed national DRLs is given.

Education and training in radiation protection in Europe: results from the EURAMED Rocc-n-Roll project survey.

Purpose: To analyse the existing radiation protection (RP) education and training (E&T) capabilities in the European Union and identify associated needs, problems and challenges.

Method: An online survey was disseminated via the EURAMED Rocc-n-Roll consortium network and prominent medical societies in the field of radiological research. The survey sections analyse the RP E&T during undergraduate, residency/internship and continuous professional development; RP E&T problems and legal implementation.

Integrity of personal radiation protective equipment (PRPE): a 4-year longitudinal follow-up study.

Background: Personal radiation protective equipment (PRPE) such as lead aprons minimises radiation exposure of operators using X-ray systems. However, PRPE might be prone to cracks in the attenuating layer resulting in inadequate radiation protection. This study aims to investigate the prevalence, qualification and quantification of PRPE integrity during a longitudinal follow-up study.

Education and training in radiation protection in Europe: an analysis from the EURAMED rocc-n-roll project.

Background: A Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis was performed to understand the status quo of education and training in radiation protection (RP) and to develop a coordinated European approach to RP training needs based on stakeholder consensus and existing activities in the field. Fourteen team members represented six European professional societies, one European voluntary organisation, two international healthcare organisations and five professions, namely: Medical Physicists; Nuclear Medicine Physicians; Radiologists; Radiation Oncologists and Radiographers. Four subgroups analysed the "Strengths", "Weaknesses", "Opportunities" and "Threats" related to E&T in RP developed under previous European Union (EU) programmes and on the Guidelines on Radiation Protection Education and Training of Medical Professionals in the EU.

Evaluation of Virtual Grid Processed Clinical Chest Radiographs.

Objectives: We evaluated the different Virtual Grid software ratios (Fujifilm, Tokyo, Japan) on gridless clinical chest radiographs with visual grading analysis (VGA). In addition, we investigated the 2 image quality assessment algorithms (IQAAs).

Materials And Methods: Gridless chest radiographs of 50 different intensive care unit patients were collected and afterward processed with Virtual Grid software.

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.

Tumour characteristics of screen-detected and interval cancers in the Flemish Breast Cancer Screening Programme: A mammographic breast density study.

Objective: The objective is to investigate tumour prognostic factors versus breast density in screen-detected cancers and interval cancers. The results may highlight the need for more personalised screening protocols based on breast density in organized screening programmes.

Study Design: A retrospective study was performed of tumour characteristics of screen-detected cancers (n=468) and interval cancers (n=515) of 983 women who participated in the Flemish Breast Cancer Screening Programme in 2009-2010.

Characterizing Scatter Correction Software of 5 Mobile Radiography Units: An Anthropomorphic Phantom Study.

Objectives: Bedside radiographs are usually obtained gridless, without a physical scatter correction grid because of several limitations. Therefore, multiple manufacturers of mobile radiography systems provide the possibility to apply scatter correction software (SC SW) on those images. The purpose of this study was to characterize different series of radiographs-gridless, SC SW, and physical grid-with an image quality assessment algorithm (IQAA).

Evaluation of a no-reference image quality metric for projection X-ray imaging using a 3D printed patient-specific phantom.

Purpose: Feasability of a no-reference image quality metric was assessed on patient-like images using a patient-specific phantom simulating a frame of a coronary angiogram.

Methods: One background and one contrast-filled frame of a coronary angiogram, acquired using a clinical imaging protocol, were selected from a Philips Integris Allura FD (Philips Healthcare, Best, The Netherlands). The background frame's pixels were extruded to a thickness proportional to their grey value.