Towards the establishment of national diagnostic reference levels in Tunisia: a multicentre survey in paediatric CT.

This work focuses on the determination of the radiation doses for a total sample of 916 children, categorised into four age groups (<1, 1-5, <5-10, <10-15 years) undergoing the most frequent paediatric CT scans performed in different scan facilities in Tunisia in order to establish the national diagnostic reference levels (DRLs). Dose evaluation concerned the dosimetric indicators: volume computed tomography dose index (CTDIand dose-length product (DLP). The different paediatric CT protocols and practices were also evaluated.

Radiation protection infrastructure-challenges in developing countries.

A special session was held in the International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA15) Congress to address the particular challenges facing developing countries regarding radiation protection infrastructure. The objective was to identify and share the key challenges facing developing countries regarding the ability to introduce and establish effective radiation protection programmes. The experiences of key international organisations (International Atomic Energy Agency, Pan American Health Organisation and World Health Organisation) that have support programmes were discussed, along with a perspective from several countries with developing programmes.

PEDIATRIC HEAD CT EXPOSURE DOSES IN TUNISIA: A PILOT STUDY TOWARDS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL DIAGNOSTIC REFERENCE LEVELS.

The purpose of this study was to assess and analyze the radiation doses during head pediatric CT from different CT units within six Tunisian hospitals representing different geographic regions in order to optimize the dose given and minimize the radiology risk to this category of patients and towards the derivation of national diagnostic reference levels. Patient data and exposure parameters were collected for four age groups (<1, 1-5, 5-10 and 10-15 y). Clinical protocols and exposure settings were analyzed.

Radiation exposure to patients during interventional procedures in 20 countries: initial IAEA project results.

Objective: The purpose of our study was to investigate the level of radiation protection of patients and staff during interventional procedures in 20 countries of Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Subjects And Methods: In a multinational prospective study, information on radiation protection tools, peak skin dose (PSD), and kerma-area product (KAP) was provided by 55 hospitals in 20 mainly developing countries (nine mostly in Eastern Europe, five in Africa, and six in Asia).

Results: Nearly 40% of the interventional rooms had an annual workload of more than 2,000 patients.

[Quality control--patient doses--guidance dose levels from diagnostic radiology in Tunisia].

Background: Radiation doses from diagnostic radiology are the most important exposure collective doses of the man. Entrance Surface Dose is one of the basic dosimetric quantities for measuring the patient dose and hence, an excellent tool for optimization purposes and for comparison with the international reference values.

Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the delivred quantitis of rayon x to patients who undervent radiography;

Methods: For the first time in Tunisia the doses delivered to the patient undergoing the most common type of X ray examinations (chest, abdomen, lumbar spin) were performed in two university hospitals of Tunis.