When panoramic radiography is not sufficient in the study of the teeth and jaw bones, CBCT can provide identical information to MSCT, with a considerable dose reduction. MSCT is, however, indicated when evaluation of soft tissue is required.

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In this study, two different techniques used for image-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy have been compared in terms of patient dose: computed tomography (CT) fluoroscopy (performed on a Toshiba Aquilion 64), supplied with several multidetector CT (MDCT), and cone-beam CT (CBCT) (performed on a Philips Allura Xper FD20), supplied with a few C-arm flat-panel angiographic devices. Dose data (10 patients for each technique) have been collected, and organ doses and effective dose have been evaluated using software packages enabling to simulate real acquisition geometry and X-ray exposure. As a result, higher doses were found for MDCT compared with CBCT: the effective dose is 50% higher for MDCT; ratios between mean organ doses range between 1.2 and 1.7, except for breast (0.9) and oesophagus (3.7). Even though the observed differences are not always statistically significant, the general distribution of organ doses confirms that the MDCT-guiding technique delivers higher dose than the CBCT-guided one.

The recent publication of the Euratom Directive 2013/59, adopting the reduction of eye lens dose limits from 150 to 20 mSv y, calls for the development of new tools and methodologies for evaluating the eye lens dose absorbed by the medical staff involved in interventional radiology practices. Moreover, the effectiveness of the protective devices, like leaded glasses, which can be employed for radiation protection purposes, must be tested under typical exposure scenarios. In this work, eye lens dose measurements were carried out on an anthropomorphic phantom simulating a physician bound to perform standard interventional neuroradiology angiographic procedures. The correlation between eye lens doses, in terms of Hp(0.07), and the equivalent dose [again in terms of Hp(0.07)] monthly measured with thermoluminescent dosemeters placed above the lead apron at the chest level was studied, in the presence and in the absence of different types of leaded glasses.

Angio-CT examinations deliver high doses, but these doses can be reduced without affecting image quality.

The evaluation of radiation burden in vivo is crucial in modern radiology as stated also in the European Directive 2013/59/Euratom—Basic Safety Standard. Although radiation dose monitoring can impact the justification and optimization of radiological procedure, as well as effective patient communication, standardization of radiation monitoring software is far to be achieved. Toward this goal, the Italian Association of Medical Physics (AIFM) published a report describing the state of the art and standard guidelines in radiation dose monitoring system quality assurance. This article reports the AIFM statement about radiation dose monitoring systems (RDMSs) summarizing the different critical points of the systems related to Medical Physicist Expert (MPE) activities before, during, and after their clinical implementation. In particular, the article describes the general aspects of radiation dose data management, radiation dose monitoring systems, data integrity, and data responsibilities. Furthermore, the acceptance tests that need to be implemented and the most relevant dosimetric data for each radiological modalities are reported under the MPE responsibility.

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