An Approach to Establishing Diagnostic Reference Levels in Interventional Pediatric Cardiology from Different Regions of Brazil.

Diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) are a pivotal strategy to be implemented since pediatric interventional cardiology procedures are increasing. This work aimed to propose an initial set of Brazilian DRLs for pediatric interventional diagnostic and therapeutic (D&T) procedures. A retrospective study was carried out in four Brazilian states, distributed across the three regions of the country.

Application of a newly developed software program for image quality assessment in cone-beam computed tomography.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to apply a newly developed free software program, at low cost and with minimal time, to evaluate the quality of dental and maxillofacial cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images.

Materials And Methods: A polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) phantom, CQP-IFBA, was scanned in 3 CBCT units with 7 protocols. A macro program was developed, using the free software ImageJ, to automatically evaluate the image quality parameters.

Quality assurance phantoms for cone beam computed tomography: a systematic literature review.

Objectives: To undertake a systematic review on quality assurance (QA) phantoms for CBCT imaging, including studies on the development and application of phantoms.

Methods: The MEDLINE (PubMed) bibliographic database was searched until May 2016 for studies evaluating the development and use of phantoms in CBCT image QA. The search strategy was restricted to English language publications using the following combined terms: (Cone Beam CT) OR (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) OR (Cone-Beam Computed Tomography) OR (CBCT) AND (quality OR phantom).

Assessment of protocols in cone-beam CT with symmetric and asymmetric beams usingeffective dose and air kerma-area product.

This study aims to evaluate and compare protocols with similar purposes in a cone beam CT scanner using thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) and the air kerma-area product (PKA) as the kerma index. The measurements were performed on two protocols used to obtain an image of the maxilla-mandible using the equipment GENDEX GXCB 500: Protocol [GX1] extended diameter and asymmetric beam (14cm×8.5cm-maxilla/mandible) and protocol [GX2] symmetrical beam (8.