An Overview of Appropriate Medical Practice and Preparedness in Radiation Emergency Response.

Radiation emergencies involving high doses of nuclear radiation pose significant risks from exposure to ionizing radiation in various scenarios. These situations include transportation accidents involving radioactive materials, occupational exposure, nuclear detonations, dirty bombs, and nuclear power plant accidents. In addition to the immediate risks of acute radiation syndrome (ARS) and related diseases, long-term exposure can increase the risk of other health issues such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Clinical diagnostic reference levels in neuroradiology based on clinical indication.

This study focuses on patient radiation exposure in interventional neuroradiology (INR) procedures, a field that has advanced significantly since its inception in the 1980s. INR employs minimally invasive techniques to treat complex cerebrovascular diseases in the head, neck, and spine. The study establishes diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for three clinical indications (CIs): stroke (S), brain aneurysms (ANs), and brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM).

Patient exposure during videofluoroscopic swallowing studies performed by speech-language pathologists.

Videofluoroscopic swallowing studies (VFSSs) are fluoroscopic examinations performed by speech and language pathologists (SLPs), for the evaluation of the oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing, in patients who are diagnosed with symptoms like dysphagia and speech impairment. The study was focused on the evaluation of the patient doses from VFSS performed at Hamad Medical Corporation hospitals. Data on the patient exposure and examination parameters were extracted from the Radiation Dose Monitoring system, statistically analysed and compared with literature.

From the use of exposure index in quality control testing to the use of exposure index for quality control of clinical images.

Aim: The exposure index (EI) is used in routine quality control (QC) tests performed in the radiographic equipment installed in our hospitals. This study aimed at investigating the factors affecting the calculation of EI in QC and clinical images, and the implementation of target EI (EI) and deviation index (DI) in clinical practice.

Methods: The EI is 100 times the incident air kerma (IAK) in μGy on the image receptor, using the RQA-5 X-ray beam quality.

Digital radiography image quality evaluation using various phantoms and software.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of the exposure parameters on image quality (IQ) metrics of phantom images, obtained automatically using software or from visual evaluation.

Methods: Three commercial phantoms and a homemade phantom constructed according to the instructions given in the IAEA Human Health Series No. 39 publication were used, along with the respective software that estimate automatically various IQ metrics.

National Diagnostic Reference Levels for Nuclear Medicine in Qatar.

Nuclear medicine (NM) started in Qatar in the mid-1980s with a 1-head γ-camera in Hamad General Hospital. However, Qatar is expanding, and now Hamad Medical Corp. has 2 NM departments and 1 PET/CT Center for Diagnosis and Research, with several hybrid SPECT/CT and PET/CT cameras.

Effect of technologist and patient attributes on centering for body CT examinations: Influence of cultural and ethnic factors.

There are no published data on the effect of patient and technologist gender and ethnicity attributes on off-centering in CT. Therefore, we assessed the impact of patient and technologist variations on off-centering patients undergoing body CT. With institutional review board approval, our retrospective study included 1000 consecutive adult patients (age ranged 22-96 years; 756 males: 244 females) who underwent chest or abdomen CT examinations.

An update on computational anthropomorphic anatomical models.

The prevalent availability of high-performance computing coupled with validated computerized simulation platforms as open-source packages have motivated progress in the development of realistic anthropomorphic computational models of the human anatomy. The main application of these advanced tools focused on imaging physics and computational internal/external radiation dosimetry research. This paper provides an updated review of state-of-the-art developments and recent advances in the design of sophisticated computational models of the human anatomy with a particular focus on their use in radiation dosimetry calculations.

Evaluation of automatic tube current modulation of CT scanners using a dedicated and the CTDI dosimetry phantoms.

Purpose: To investigate the operation principles of the automatic tube current modulation (ATCM) of a CT scanner, using a dedicated phantom and the CT dosimetry index (CTDI) phantom.

Material And Methods: The Mercury 4.0 phantom and three different configurations of the CTDI dosimetry phantom were employed.

Development of image quality related reference doses called acceptable quality doses (AQD) in paediatric CT exams in Qatar.

Objectives: To describe first experience of integrating assessment of image quality in paediatric X-ray computed tomography (CT) with analysis of the radiation dose indices to develop reference doses called acceptable quality dose (AQD).

Methods: Image quality was scored by the radiologists at a tertiary care hospital in Qatar on a scale of 0 to 4 using the recently published scoring criteria. The patients undergoing head, chest and abdomen CT were divided in different weight groups as follows: < 5 kg, 5-< 15 kg, 15-< 30 kg, 30-< 50 kg, 50-< 80 kg and > 80 kg.

Towards establishment of diagnostic reference levels based on clinical indication in the state of Qatar.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to: 1) evaluate patient radiation exposure in CT and 2) establish CT Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRL)s based on clinical indication (CI) in Qatar.

Materials And Methods: Patient data for 13 CIs were collected using specially designed collection forms from the dose management software (DMS) of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), the main Qatar healthcare provider. The methodology described in the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) Report 135 was followed to establish national clinical DRLs in terms of Volumetric Computed Tomography Dose Index (CTDIvol) and total Dose Length Product (DLPt).

Radiation dose monitoring in computed tomography: Status, options and limitations.

In the last few years there has been an increasing interest on radiation dose to patients undergoing various diagnostic or therapeutic procedures with the use of ionizing radiation. Especially for CT examinations and interventional procedures, where it is known that patient doses are much higher than conventional radiography, new norms have been published that require to have appropriate radiation dose indices registered in the patient medical record. Because of these demands, dose monitoring has been recommended and adopted into many clinical practices as a routine procedure for every patient and every examination.

Relation between age and CT radiation doses: Dose trends in 705 pediatric head CT.

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between patient age and radiation doses associated with routine pediatric head CT performed with automatic tube potential selection and tube current modulation techniques.

Methods: We obtained patient demographics, scan parameters, and radiation dose descriptors (CT dose index volume -CTDIvol and dose length product -DLP) associated with consecutive routine head CT in 705 children (mean age 6.9 ± 5 years).

EVALUATION OF RADIATION DOSE FOR PATIENTS UNDERGOING MAMMOGRAPHY IN QATAR.

In the absence of information on radiation doses in mammography in the Gulf countries, this study was designed to assess patient dose in terms of entrance surface air kerma and average glandular dose (AGD) in three mammography units in Qatar that covers 21% of all mammography systems in the country. The study of 150 patients involving 600 projections indicated that the average value of AGD in patients was 2.2 mGy for cranio-caudal and 2.

Breast Cancer Detection in Qatar: Evaluation of Mammography Image Quality Using A Standardized Assessment Tool.

Objective: Compared with other countries in the Middle East, Qatar has one of the highest breast cancer incidence and mortality rates. Poor quality mammography images may be associated with advanced stage breast cancer, however there is limited information about the quality of breast imaging in Qatar. Our purpose was to evaluate the clinical image quality of mammography examinations performed at a tertiary care center in Doha, Qatar using a standardized assessment tool.

Use of Multiphase CT Protocols in 18 Countries: Appropriateness and Radiation Doses.

Purpose: To assess the frequency, appropriateness, and radiation doses associated with multiphase computed tomography (CT) protocols for routine chest and abdomen-pelvis examinations in 18 countries.

Materials And Methods: In collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency, multi-institutional data on clinical indications, number of scan phases, scan parameters, and radiation dose descriptors (CT dose-index volume; dose-length product [DLP]) were collected for routine chest (n = 1706 patients) and abdomen-pelvis (n = 426 patients) CT from 18 institutions in Asia, Africa, and Europe. Two radiologists scored the need for each phase based on clinical indications (1 = not indicated, 2 = probably indicated, 3 = indicated).

Multiphase abdomen-pelvis CT in women of childbearing potential (WOCBP): Justification and radiation dose.

To assess justification and radiation doses of abdomen-pelvis CT in women of childbearing potential (WOCBP) scanned in 2 tertiary hospitals in Qatar.The local ethical committee approved retrospective study of 451 WOCBP (14-55 years) who underwent abdomen-pelvis CT examinations. Patients' age, clinical indications for ordered CT, scanner types and vendors, number and type of scan phases (non-contrast, arterial, portal venous, and/or delayed phases), and radiation dose descriptors (CT dose index volume - CTDIvol and dose length product- DLP) were recorded.

IAEA survey of paediatric computed tomography practice in 40 countries in Asia, Europe, Latin America and Africa: procedures and protocols.

Objective: To survey procedures and protocols in paediatric computed tomography (CT) in 40 less resourced countries.

Methods: Under a project of the International Atomic Energy Agency, 146 CT facilities in 40 countries of Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America responded to an electronic survey of CT technology, exposure parameters, CT protocols and doses.

Results: Modern MDCT systems are available in 77 % of the facilities surveyed with dedicated paediatric CT protocols available in 94 %.

Radiation protection of patients in diagnostic and interventional radiology in Asian countries: impact of an IAEA project.

Recognizing the lack of information on image quality and patient doses in most countries in Asia, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) initiated a project to assess the status of imaging technology, practice in conventional radiography, mammography, computed tomography (CT) and interventional procedures, and to implement optimisation actions. A total of 20 countries participated. Obsolete practices of use of fluoroscopy for positioning, photofluorography, chest fluoroscopy and conventional tomography were reported by 4 out of 7 countries that provided this information.

IAEA survey of pediatric CT practice in 40 countries in Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Africa: Part 1, frequency and appropriateness.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency of pediatric CT in 40 less-resourced countries and to determine the level of appropriateness in CT use.

Materials And Methods: Data on the increase in the number of CT examinations during 2007 and 2009 and appropriate use of CT examinations were collected, using standard forms, from 146 CT facilities at 126 hospitals.

Results: The lowest frequency of pediatric CT examinations in 2009 was in European facilities (4.