Assessment of task-based image quality for abdominal CT protocols linked with national diagnostic reference levels.

Objectives: To assess task-based image quality for two abdominal protocols on various CT scanners. To establish a relationship between diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) and task-based image quality.

Methods: A protocol for the detection of focal liver lesions was used to scan an anthropomorphic abdominal phantom containing 8- and 5-mm low-contrast (20 HU) spheres at five CTDI levels (4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 mGy) on 12 CTs.

Update of national diagnostic reference levels for adult CT in Switzerland and assessment of radiation dose reduction since 2010.

Objectives: To update the national diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for adult CT in Switzerland using dose management software and to compare them to the previous Swiss DRLs from 2010.

Methods: CT dose data from 14 radiological institutes with a total of 50 CT scanners were collected with locally installed dose management software between 2014 and 2017. Data were assigned to 15 defined master protocols.

Correction to: National survey on dose data analysis in computed tomography.

The original version of this article, published on 28 May 2018, unfortunately contained a mistake.

National survey on dose data analysis in computed tomography.

Objectives: A nationwide survey was performed assessing current practice of dose data analysis in computed tomography (CT).

Material And Methods: All radiological departments in Switzerland were asked to participate in the on-line survey composed of 19 questions (16 multiple choice, 3 free text). It consisted of four sections: (1) general information on the department, (2) dose data analysis, (3) use of a dose management software (DMS) and (4) radiation protection activities.

Derivation of new diagnostic reference levels for neuro-paediatric computed tomography examinations in Switzerland.

Purpose: Definition of new national diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for volume computed tomography dose index (CTDI) and dose length product (DLP) for neuro-paediatric CT examinations depending on the medical indication.

Methods: Paediatric cranial CT data sets acquired between January 2013 and December 2016 were retrospectively collected between July 2016 and March 2017 from eight of the largest university and cantonal hospitals that perform most of the neuro-paediatric CTs in Switzerland. A consensus review of CTDI and DLP was undertaken for three defined anatomical regions: brain, facial bone, and petrous bone, each with and without contrast medium application.