Radiation Safety
Radiation Biology
You should complete the following RSNA Physics modules prior to your radiation biology conferences.
http://physics.rsna.org/default.asp
Review
Use the mnemonic READ
non-SI SI unit
Radiation Curie becquerel
Exposure Roentgen coulomb/kg
Absorbed Dose Rad Gray
Dose Equivalent Rem Sievert
for gory detail, see wikipedia
for CT we commonly use two measures
CTDI (CT dose index) This is analogous to Absorbed dose
this describes the dose/unit volume, so if you scan 10 cm of pt or 100 cm of pt the CTDI is the saem
DLP (dose length product)
DLP=CTDI x l, where l is the length of the pt scanned, this gives us credit for not including parts of the body that don’t need to be scanned.(see image gently link)
Noise Index:
this is operator selected parameter (for GE equipment to set a balance between dose and image quality (noise)
http://radiographics.rsna.org/content/26/2/503.full
Image Gently http://www.pedrad.org/associations/5364/ig/
started in 2008, this site promotes reducing exposure to children
Image Wisely http://www.imagewisely.org/
started in 2010, this site promotes reducing exposure
http://radiology.rsna.org/content/257/3/601.full
Choose Wisely
launched in 2012, this site provides pts. with information about overused tests
http://www.choosingwisely.org/societies/american-college-of-radiology//
ACR Guidelines
be aware that the ACR has weighed in on some dose issues.
for CT:
Examination Reference Levels (CTDIvol)
CT head 75 mGy
CT adult abdomen 25 mGy
CT pediatric abdomen
(5 years old) 20 mGy
http://www.acr.org/~/media/796DE35AA407447DB81CEB5612B4553D.pdf
Radiology Info .org
This is a website that patients may visit. All rads should be familiar with this site
References
NYRS presentation Pina Sanelli 10/5/12
Dose Length Product Article Huda
http://radiology.rsna.org/content/248/3/995.full
ACR Guideline