Webinair du CCRI : “Updates on X-ray imaging Dosimetry Practices

Aim

Medical X-ray imaging forms the largest component of exposure to man-made sources of ionizing radiation. Consistent quantification of radiation exposure using calibrated dosimetry equipment is essential to ensure quality of the services, patient safety and comply with basic safety standards. The procedures used by calibration laboratories are based on relevant standards and international protocols. However, currently they do not fully consider the recent technical developments and clinical practices in X-ray imaging. Therefore, critical assessment of current calibration and measurement procedures and update of relevant standards and protocols is needed.

This webinar responds to challenges that have been identified in the X-ray imaging dosimetry and ionizing radiation metrology. What updates are proposed to international standards, calibration capabilities and dosimetry codes or practice to address the current needs, and to maintain traceability in X-ray imaging dosimetry.

Programme

• Introduction (Paula Toroi, STUK, Finland)
• Update of reference radiation qualities (Stefan Pojtinger, PTB, Germany)
  • The presentation gives a brief introduction to the differences between ionisation chamber (IC) and X-ray multimeter (XMM) technology and the differences in the energy dependence of the response. The radiation qualities used for calibration and clinical measurements are compared and new reference radiation qualities are proposed. Guidance is also given on how these calibrations should be used.
• Definition of XMM measurement quantities (Miloš Živanović, VINS, Serbia)
  • The XMMs have developed to measure other parameters in addition to air kerma. These quantities are tube voltage-related quantities, HVL, total filtration, and exposure time. The harmonized definitions for these quantities are proposed and XMM performance for these quantities is reviewed. The needs for standardization and metrological traceability are currently not fully met for all the quantities.
• Clinical implementation of new procedures (Olivera Ciraj Bjelac, IAEA)
  • XMMs are extensively used in clinical practice, but it is not well considered and known how these dosimeters and their calibration certifications should be used in clinical practice for dosimetry in diverse imaging modalities. This presentation gives overview of the clinical applications of dosimeters considering the target uncertainties.