Quality control tests are mandatory and essential to monitor Magnetic Resonance Imaging equipment. These assist in determining improper functioning or parameters below established reference levels. The objective of this study was to perform quality control tests in magnetic resonance imaging equipment and to compare their methodology with both FLUKE and KONEX phantoms. Different protocols were used for their evaluation, including the American Association of Physics in Medicine, the American College of Radiologists, and the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency. In this study, we demonstrated the results for the most critical tests: slice thickness accuracy, slice position accuracy, high-contrast spatial resolution, low-contrast resolution, magnetic field, and slice thickness uniformity. The results are that, although both phantom objects are efficient for carrying out the tests required in Brazilian regulations, the KONEX phantom consumes less time, as it requires less to image all its structures. The FLUKE phantoms need a longer acquisition time to obtain all test structures and object images. Nevertheless, the results obtained in both are within limits required by Brazilian regulations and limits suggested by the manufacturers' manuals. This work is expected to be a basis for other physicians and services using similar phantoms.

Uma das maneiras de promover a otimização em proteção radiológica é implementando o conceito de Nível de Referência de Dose (DRL). Diversas são as formas de estimar a dose de radiação, dentre elas a estimativa do produto área-dose (DAP). Neste estudo, foi estimada a dose efetiva em exames radiológicos com o objetivo de determinar o DRL local. Para isso, os dados de DAP foram coletados e filtrados para o modelo de paciente padrão. Todos os procedimentos avaliados foram realizados em equipamentos de radiologia convencional com medidor de DAP embutido e devidamente calibrado, dentre eles: tórax anteroposterior (AP), tórax lateral (LAT) e tórax póstero-anterior (PA), abdômen AP, pelve AP e coluna lombar AP e LAT. O software PCXMC 2.0 foi empregado na simulação computacional de exames radiográficos para simular a dose efetiva no paciente para as incidências utilizadas. No total, após verificação dos dados, foram selecionados 167 valores de DAP e o número de incidências realizadas variou de 7 a 51 para diferentes projeções. A maior quantidade de incidências foi coletada para tórax LAT e a menor quantidade para coluna lombar LAT. Foram analisados 1º quartil, mediana e 3º quartil, bem como DAP mínimo e máximo e o valor interquartil (IQV) para cada conjunto de dados. As simulações computacionais resultaram em valores de dose efetiva compatíveis com a literatura. Por se tratar de um trabalho inicial, alguns pontos devem ser levados em consideração, como: o serviço faz parte de um hospital escola com profissionais em formação; existem cartas de técnicas disponíveis, porém os equipamentos digitais foram recém instalados; o estudo deve ser aprofundado, com número maior de incidências, para que os protocolos sejam bem estabelecidos no serviço. Este estudo serve de referência para outros serviços que desejam realizar o levantamento do nível de referência de diagnóstico para protocolos de radiologia convencional.

The use of fluoroscopy equipment in surgical procedures exposes professionals to ionizing radiation. An important safety aspect is the correct use of personal protective equipment and monitoring of dose levels in workers. In Brazil, the Resolution of the Collegiate Board of Directors (RDC) No. 330/2019 demands the use of individual dosimeter for professionals who exceed the public dose limits. However, when personal dosimeters are not available, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recommends attaching a dosimeter to the C-Arm, close to the detector, to estimate the dose received by medical personnel. The objective of this research was to evaluate the levels of exposure in professionals during surgical procedures in the operation room. This analysis was performed by placing OSL dosimeters on the C-arm equipment for eleven months and comparing them with the quantitative values extracted from the equipment in the routine. Two mobile fluoroscopies C-Arm equipment were used in this study. A total of 1231 procedures were evaluated, with a mean dose value of 5.8µSv per procedure. Thus, the maximum number of procedures that the same professional can perform was 140 procedures per day for a staff member considering worker dose limits and 7 procedures per day for staff members using the required protective aprons considering the public dose limits. Although the study shows that the dose limits established by regulatory bodies are above the doses recorded in clinical practice, this situation should not promote false safety in the use of ionizing radiation.

Computed tomography exams are considered diagnostic imaging exams that generate significant radiation dose to the patient. Justification, optimization, and dose limitation are radiological protection principles used to minimize patient and staff exposure, ensuring the quality of the service provided. The objective of this study was to analyze CT scan data, analyzing the number of exams, the patients' effective cumulated dose, and the repeatability of the exams. The study data covers the 2013 to 2022 period during which a progressive increase was observed in the number of exams performed over time, with exams doubling in this period. The most used Computed Tomography protocols were brain/skull (27.4%), pelvis (17.3%), and abdomen (13.7%) during the study period. Approximately 76.3% of patients have a cumulative dose of less than 25 mSv, while about 1% accumulated more than 100 mSv. The repeatability of CT scans for the same patient over a short period varies, reaching until 17 scans in 30 days for a single patient. The results indicated a necessity to develop strategies for individual dose management methods for the institution’s internal practices. An intervention could be implemented by creating periodically updated handouts and guidelines based on professionals' knowledge.