Identification and characterization of patients being exposed to computed-tomography associated radiation-doses above 100 mSv in a real-life setting.

Rationale And Objectives: Patients receiving high cumulative effective doses (CED) from recurrent computed tomography (CT) in a real-life setting are not well identified. Evaluation of causes and patient characteristics may help to define individuals potentially at risk of radiation-induced secondary malignancies.

Materials And Methods: Patients who received a CED > 100 mSv from CT scans during October 2012 and April 2020 at a tertiary university center were identified with the help of a radiological radiation dose monitoring system.

Photoacoustic tomography of ex vivo mouse hearts with myocardial infarction.

In the present study, we evaluated the applicability of ex vivo photoacoustic imaging (PAI) on small animal organs. We used photoacoustic tomography (PAT) to visualize infarcted areas within murine hearts and compared these data to other imaging techniques [magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), micro-computed tomography] and histological slices. In order to induce ischemia, an in vivo ligation of the left anterior descending artery was performed on nine wild-type mice.

QA/acceptance testing of DEXA X-ray systems used in bone mineral densitometry.

New developments in dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) imaging technology [fan beam and cone beam (CB)] result in higher exposure levels, shorter scan times, increased patient throughput and increased shielding requirements. This study presents the results of a European survey detailing the number and location of DEXA systems in SENTINEL partner states and the QA (quality assurance) currently performed by physicists and operators in these centres. The results of a DEXA equipment survey based on an in-house developed QA protocol are presented.

Reference levels at European level for cardiac interventional procedures.

In interventional cardiology, a wide variation in patient dose for the same type of procedure has been recognised by different studies. Variation is almost due to procedure complexity, equipment performance, procedure protocol and operator skill. The SENTINEL consortium has performed a survey in nine european centres collecting information on near 2000 procedures, and a new set of reference levels (RLs) for coronary angiography and angioplasty and diagnostic electrophysiology has been assessed for air kerma-area product: 45, 85 and 35 Gy cm2, effective dose: 8, 15 and 6 mSv, cumulative dose at interventional reference point: 650 and 1500 mGy, fluoroscopy time: 6.

Patient dose in interventional radiology: a European survey.

Patient doses for a few common fluoroscopy-guided procedures in interventional radiology (IR) (excluding cardiology) were collected from a few radiological departments in 13 European countries. The major aim was to evaluate patient doses for the basis of the reference levels. In total, data for 20 procedures for about 1300 patients were collected.