[en] Ionizing radiation is nowadays widely used for both diagnosis and therapy mainly in nuclear medicine, diagnostic radiology and radiation oncology specialities. Benchmark techniques and advanced equipment like multislice CT in diagnostic radiology, PET-CT in nuclear medicine or IMRT or IGRT in radiotherapy are currently becoming regular in daily practice at hospitals. Medical exposures are by far the largest artificial source of public exposure to ionizing radiation. although concentrated in a relatively small percentage of the worlds population, these medical exposures continue to grow in a significant way, especially in developed countries. This fact makes it necessary to keep on working in radiological protection and safety at medical facilities. (Author) 11 refs.

[en] The aim of this study is to investigate the influence on image contrast, tube load and effective dose in paediatric fluoroscopy using added filtration. A Philips Omnidiagnosti is used in Nino Jesus Hospital and was therefore chosen for radiation dose measurements. The phantom consisted of varying methacrylate thickness to represent different patients sizes. All measurements were performed in automatic mode. For each exposure and additional filtration added the following data was recorded: tube voltage, tube current, air kerma rate on phantom surface and brightness on the image monitor. An 2026 electrometer (Radical Corporation) in conjunction with a model 2025-60 ion chamber were used for entrance dose measurements and the luxometer IL-400A (International Light) was used for brightness measurements on the image monitor: Evaluation of image quality was performed using a Leeds TOR TVF test object. Finally, the program PCXMC 1.5 based on the Monte Carlo method was used for calculating organ doses and the effective dose in fluoroscopy examinations. By increasing the filtration of the x-ray tube 1st Entrance radiation exposure can be decreased 58%, organ dose up to 40%, and effective dose up to 44%. 2nd The tube load increased up to 33%. 3rd Significant dose reduction is achievable without compromising image quality. The use of additional filtration in paediatric fluoroscopy should be evaluated taking into account dose reduction, additional tube loading and the possibility of some deterioration in image quality. (Author)

[en] Radiological Protection (RP) in a health care setting is an activity intended to protect the professionals involved in Radiodiagnostic, Nuclear Medicine or Radiotherapeutic Oncology procedures, and also the population, against the risks resulting from the use of ionizing radiation because of the impact it could have on them, In our country, application of new regulations to these practices has not involved structural changes in the facilities. Both the technological innovations and the use of new techniques in these types of procedures create a need to reassess the associated risks and to establish specific training programs for these professionals. In our country, great efforts have been made to draw up and enact regulations that assure the quality of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures using ionizing radiation, including their justification. (Author)

[en] The risks for the embryo-foetus in the developing stages, associated to pregnant patients being exposed to X-rays for diagnostic procedures, implies that the fulfillment of the principles of justification and optimisation and the recommendations established by the different organisations related to radiological protection are carried out. In order to do so, it is necessary for the professional people involved to have the maximum information available on the biological effects of ionising radiation on the embryo-foetus that is developing. In this article this matter is updated: the estimated doses values on the embryo-foetus in radiodiagnosis and the risks associated, as well as a series of recommendations that can be of use to establish procedure protocols, on which the measurements taken to reduce the risks of exposition to ionising radiation on the embryo-foetus in the developing stages are recorded. (Author) 11 refs

[en] The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of bismuth breast shield in CT chest paediatric examinations when automatic exposure control techniques are used. The influence in the radiation dose and the image quality has been evaluated with and without the breast shield in the scoutview. In addition the radiation dose in shielded and non-shielded areas has been compared. Measurements were made in a 16 cm diameter cylindrical PMMA phantom simulating a newborn, and older children were simulated controlling the maximum intensities allowed by the automatic exposure control system AutomA. The highest dose reduction (59%) was obtained with AutomA system and when the breast shield is not used in the scoutview. This reduction in the radiation dose does not mean a significant increase of noise level. The use of the breast shield in the scoutview yielded an increase in the radiation dose in non-shielded areas. The use of bismuth breast shield is recommended only after the scoutview in order to optimise the radiation dose in CT chest paediatric examination when using automatic exposure control AutomA. (Author)

[en] The aim of this study is to compare the surface dose entry (DSE) scans of the chest in posteroanterior (PA) or anteroposterior (AP) in pediatric patients, depending on the imaging system used.

[en] In compliance with the current laws, radiation protection (RP) training is required during the formative programs of certain Health Sciences specialties. Laws entrust to official bodies in specialized training the adoption of necessary measures to coordinate and ensure a correct implementation. The aim of this study is to describe Community of Madrid experience in RP training to specialists during their formative programs, and to determine the number of residents trained and analyze their satisfaction level with the training. A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed, including all training specialists from the Community of Madrid during the 2007-2011 period. We determined the number of residents trained per year and we evaluated their satisfaction level with the training through a survey. A total of 55 training courses were carried out and 5820 residents have been trained during the 2007-2011 period. the student satisfaction level with the training has increased gradually from 6.1 points in 2007 to 7.0 points in 2011. The development of the RP formative program for residents in the Community of Madrid has meant the start up o the necessary official mechanisms to ensure the quality and adequacy of training in this area, covering the formative needs of the collective. (Author)

[en] To compare from both dosimetry and image quality standpoints, a digital scanning system with a conventional screen film system, in the full spine radiological procedure. The standard patient is considered to be 12 years old, and a sample of forty patients referred for full spine radiological procedure has been studied. Gonad shielding has been used in all the patients, and its efficiency has been evaluated. Dosimetric study includes Kerma-area product, and thorax and gonad entrance surface dose. Kerma area product has been measured using a transmission camera, and for entrance surface dose estimation both thermoluminescent dosemeter LiF: Mg, Cu, P and LiF: Mg, Ti have been utilized. Three radiologists have evaluated the image quality according to the degree of fulfilment of the image quality criteria. (Author) 22 refs