Results of a European survey on patient doses in paediatric radiology

Abstract

Paediatric patients represent a very specific group within the radiology department. Compared to adult patients, they are more sensitive to radiation. As they are sometimes submitted to several radiology procedures, dose and image quality should be well balanced. Nowadays, only a few centres specialize in paediatric imaging, and knowledge of paediatric patient doses is, therefore, very scattered. The effect of the introduction of digital technology on paediatric patient doses remains largely undocumented. Data collected in the present survey illustrate that there is a clear need for standardisation in this domain. The proposal of a European diagnostic reference level (DRL) is quite difficult. Preliminary DRLs, based on typically 5-7 radiology centres per examination are proposed. The 'effective dose' may or may not be a very rigorous parameter, but it still remains useful nowadays to calculate a parameter that summarises the possible radiation-induced detriment to these young patients. However, conversion factors for calculation of the effective dose should be harmonised. Future studies should include an image quality evaluation study, using criteria that account for digital equipment. Data collection would be straightforward and could be performed in a systematic and automatic way if DICOM headers of digital images would include appropriate as well as relevant information for the particular case of paediatric examinations.

Gonad shielding in paediatric pelvic radiography: disadvantages prevail over benefit

“…The improved technology and optimisation of imaging protocols have resulted in much lower doses [22–31], while the risk for heritable disease has been found to be lower than previously assumed [32]. The question then arises whether today’s reduction in radiation risk by applying gonad shielding is still worthwhile in view of its negative consequences.…”

Organ doses and effective doses in pediatric radiography: Patient-dose survey in finland

“…To be able to keep doses as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA), fundamental knowledge of factors concerning patient doses is needed. Pediatric examinations comprise approximately 10% of all radiological examinations, which may result in situations in which pediatric examinations are not well optimized due to a lack of knowledge in choosing the proper acquisition parameters (3). particular clinical problem (4).…”

Differences between Saudi Arabian and Australian radiographers' knowledge and attitudes about paediatric CT doses

“…Th e Radiographer 2011 21 exposed when young. 20 At ages up to 10 years, children are up to three times more sensitive to radiation than adults.…”

“…20 At ages up to 10 years, children are up to three times more sensitive to radiation than adults. 21, 22 Brenner, et al found that a single 15 mSv CT examination, equivalent to 500 standard chest x-rays, has an impact on a child of twice that on an adult. 23 Children's lifetime cancer risk is increased due to both higher radiation sensitivity and longer expected life span.…”

“…23 Children's lifetime cancer risk is increased due to both higher radiation sensitivity and longer expected life span. 21 A study from Israel estimated that 1 year of paediatric CT scanning generated 9.5 excess deaths from cancer. 24 Th e National Cancer Institute (US) and the Society of Paediatric Radiology estimated the risk of dying from cancer to be 1 in 550 following abdominal CT and 1 in 1500 for a brain CT performed in infancy (using adult parameters), generating approximately 0.35% more cancer deaths than expected in the general population.…”