Search Results (8)

This study assesses the clinical deployment of SubtlePET™, a commercial AI-based denoising algorithm, across three radiotracers—¹⁸F-FDG, ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA-11, and ¹⁸F-FDOPA—with the goal of improving image quality while reducing injected activity, technologist radiation exposure, and scan time. A retrospective analysis on a digital PET/CT system showed that SubtlePET™ enabled dose reductions exceeding 33% and time savings of over 25%. AI-enhanced images were rated interpretable in 100% of cases versus 65% for standard low-dose reconstructions. Notably, 85% of AI-enhanced scans received the maximum Likert quality score (5/5), indicating excellent diagnostic confidence and noise suppression, compared to only 50% with conventional reconstruction. The quantitative image quality improved significantly across all tracers, with SNR and CNR gains of 50–70%. Radiotracer dose reductions were particularly substantial in low-BMI patients (up to 41% for FDG), and the technologist exposure decreased for high-exposure roles. The daily patient throughput increased by an average of 4.84 cases. These findings support the robust integration of SubtlePET™ into routine clinical PET practice, offering improved efficiency, safety, and image quality without compromising lesion detectability. Full article

X-ray imaging, as a technique of non-destructive testing, has demonstrated considerable promise in COVID-19 diagnosis, particularly if supplemented with artificial intelligence (AI). Both radiologic technologists and AI researchers have raised the alarm about having to use increased doses of radiation in order to get more refined images and, hence, enhance diagnostic precision. In this research, we assess whether the disparity in exposure to the radiation dose considerably influences the credibility of AI-based diagnostic systems for COVID-19. A heterogeneous dataset of chest X-rays acquired at varying degrees of radiation exposure was run through four convolutional neural networks: VGG16, VGG19, ResNet50, and ResNet50V2. Results indicated above 91% accuracies, demonstrating that greater radiation exposure does not appreciably enhance diagnostic accuracy. Low radiation exposure sufficient to be utilized by human radiologists is therefore adequate for AI-based diagnosis. These findings are useful to the medical community, emphasizing that maximum diagnostic accuracy using AI does not need increased doses of radiation, thus further guaranteeing the safe application of X-ray imaging in COVID-19 diagnosis and possibly other medical and veterinary applications. Full article

Background: Digital tomosynthesis (DTS) is an advanced imaging modality that enhances diagnostic accuracy by offering three-dimensional visualization from two-dimensional projections, which is particularly beneficial in breast and lung imaging. However, this increased imaging capability raises concerns about patient exposure to ionizing radiation. Methods: This study explores the energy and angular dependence of thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs), specifically TLD100H, to improve the accuracy of organ dose assessment during DTS. Using a comprehensive experimental approach, organ doses were measured in both DTS and traditional RX modes. Results: The results showed lung doses of approximately 3.21 mGy for the left lung and 3.32 mGy for the right lung during DTS, aligning with the existing literature. In contrast, the RX mode yielded significantly lower lung doses of 0.33 mGy. The heart dose during DTS was measured at 2.81 mGy, corroborating findings from similar studies. Conclusions: These results reinforce the reliability of TLD100H dosimetry in assessing radiation exposure and highlight the need for optimizing imaging protocols to minimize doses. Overall, this study contributes to the ongoing dialogue on enhancing patient safety in diagnostic imaging and advocates for collaboration among medical physicists, radiologists, and technologists to establish best practices. Full article

This study evaluated the occupational exposure of radiopharmacists, nurses, radiological technologists, and radiological technologist assistants involved in ^99mTc-MDP bone scintigraphy procedures. Actual occupational effective doses for individual staff needed ascertaining. An environmental radiation exposure audit revealed all nuclear medicine areas were compliant with ICRP and IAEA guidelines. To ascertain individual doses, they were recorded by OSL badges. The highest exposure was to the radiopharmacists, Hp(0.07) 2.19 µSv during radiolabeling. The nurse administering ^99mTc-MDP recorded a dose of 0.27 µSv at Hp(0.07), 26.01% of the total occupational effective dose. The radiological technologist and assistant receive 73.05% of the total effective dose. However, the highest effective dose was received by the technologist assistant positioning patients for SPECT/CT scans, with an effective dose of 32.03 µSv. Single and double dosimetry effective dose estimate algorithms were evaluated, resulting in the double dosimetry being more accurate. The Padovani et al. algorithm was found to most closely align with ^99mTc-MDP actual effective dose values (p > 0.05), thereby validating the measurement methods used in this study. The research offers benchmark environmental exposure and effective doses applicable in audits and the continuous effort to enhance radiation safety for personnel during ^99mTc-MDP bone scintigraphy. Full article

Background/Objectives: To evaluate radiation exposure in standard interventional radiology procedures using a twin robotic X-ray system compared to a state-of-the-art conventional angiography system. Methods: Standard interventional radiology procedures (port implantation, SIRT, and pelvic angiography) were simulated using an anthropomorphic Alderson RANDO phantom (Alderson Research Laboratories Inc. Stamford, CT, USA) on an above-the-table twin robotic X-ray scanner (Multitom Rax, Siemens Healthineers, Forchheim, Germany) and a conventional below-the-table angiography system (Artis Zeego, Siemens Healthineers, Forchheim, Germany). The phantom’s radiation exposure (representing the potential patient on the procedure table) was measured with thermoluminescent dosimeters. Height-dependent dose curves were generated for examiners and radiation technologists in representative positions using a RaySafe X2 system (RaySafe, Billdal, Sweden). Results: For all scenarios, the device-specific dose distribution differs depending on the imaging chain, with specific advantages and disadvantages. Radiation exposure for the patient is significantly increased when using the Multitom Rax for pelvic angiography compared to the Artis Zeego, which is evident in the dose progression through the phantom’s body as well as in the organ-related radiation exposure. In line with these findings, there is an increased radiation exposure for the performing proceduralist, especially at eye level, which can be significantly minimized by using protective equipment (p < 0.001). Conclusions: In this study, the state-of-the-art conventional below-the-table angiography system is associated with lower radiation dose exposures for both the patient and the interventional radiology physician compared to an above-the-table twin robotic X-ray system for pelvic angiographies. However, in other clinical scenarios (port implantation or SIRT), both devices are suitable options with acceptable radiation exposure. Full article

Mobile radiography allows for the diagnostic imaging of patients who cannot move to the X-ray examination room. Therefore, mobile X-ray equipment is useful for patients who have difficulty with movement. However, staff are exposed to scattered radiation from the patient, and they can receive potentially harmful radiation doses during radiography. We estimated occupational exposure during mobile radiography using phantom measurements. Scattered radiation distribution during mobile radiography was investigated using a radiation survey meter. The efficacy of radiation-reducing methods for mobile radiography was also evaluated. The dose decreased as the distance from the X-ray center increased. When the distance was more than 150 cm, the dose decreased to less than 1 μSv. It is extremely important for radiological technologists (RTs) to maintain a sufficient distance from the patient to reduce radiation exposure. The spatial dose at eye-lens height increases when the bed height is high, and when the RT is short in stature and abdominal imaging is performed. Maintaining sufficient distance from the patient is also particularly effective in limiting radiation exposure of the eye lens. Our results suggest that the doses of radiation received by staff during mobile radiography are not significant when appropriate radiation protection is used. To reduce exposure, it is important to maintain a sufficient distance from the patient. Therefore, RTs should bear this is mind during mobile radiography. Full article

Japanese people experienced the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings, the Japan Nuclear Fuel Conversion Co. criticality accident, it was found that many human resources are needed to respond to residents’ concerns about disaster exposure in the event of a radiation disaster. Medical radiologic technologists learn about radiation from the time of their training, and are engaged in routine radiographic work, examination explanations, medical exposure counseling, and radiation protection of staff. By learning about nuclear disasters and counseling, we believe they can address residents’ concerns. In order to identify items needed for training, we examined the perceptions of medical radiologic technologists in the case of different specialties, modalities and radiation doses. In 2016, 5 years after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident, we conducted a survey of 57 medical radiologic technologists at two medical facilities with different specialties and work contents to investigate their attitudes toward radiation. 42 participants answered questions regarding sex, age group, presence of children, health effects of radiation exposure, radiation control, generation of X rays by diagnostic X ray equipment, and radiation related units. In a comparison of 38 items other than demographic data, 14 showed no significant differences and 24 showed significant differences. This study found that perceptions of radiation were different among radiology technologists at facilities with different specialties. The survey suggested the possibility of identifying needed training items and providing effective training. Full article

Data evaluating the effect of asymptomatic effects of radiation on thyroid hormone panels and ultrasonographic abnormalities among radiology technologists are scarce. This study aimed to determine the asymptomatic effect of radiation in a total of 39 male and 11 female exposed radiology technologists working in radiology departments, and a total of 34 male and 16 female age-matched controls working in other departments in the same hospital. The level of triiodothyronine (T₃), thyroxine (T₄) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were evaluated using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Thyroid ultrasonographic evaluation outcomes were given as normal or abnormal. There was significant interaction between exposure and gender in the mean TSH and T₄ but not T₃. The mean TSH for exposed men was significantly higher than that among non-exposed men (2.28 mIU/L vs. 1.59 mIU/L; p-value = 0.003). The mean TSH was not significantly different between exposed and non-exposed women. The mean T₄ for exposed men was significantly higher when compared with non-exposed men (11.1 pmol/L vs. 10.05 pmol/L; p-value = 0.005). In the non-exposed group, 93.8% of women and 94.1% of men had T₄ values lower than established normal reference range, while in the exposed group, 90.9% of women and 74.4% of men had low values of T₄. There was no significant difference in mean T₃ between exposed and non-exposed groups for men and women. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in the thyroid gland ultrasonographic findings between exposed and non-exposed groups. Occupational radiation exposure is associated with increased means of TSH and T₃, especially among men. Full article