Radiation from Computed Tomography (CT) is now the major contributor to population radiation dose. Despite controversy around the dose-effect relationship of radiation from CT, the linear non-threshold (LNT) theory is endorsed by many authorities, and constitutes the basis of cancer risk estimates. The purpose of this study was (1) a literature review of radiobiological theories, and methods of dose saving stategies in CT; (2) to highlight the importance of dose saving in CT, and to demonstrate how dose can be saved in a radiology department: Following a 40% reduction in reference X-ray tube current for a CT of the urinary tract, the effecitve dose and estimated lifetime attributable risk of incident cancer due to this CT in a group (n=103) were reduced by 37% and 38% in an age and sex-matched group respectively. The literature review showed that the public health implications of CT radiation exposure remain uncertain. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

Depuis quelques années, il y a un intérêt de la communauté en dosimétrie d'actualiser les protocoles de dosimétrie des faisceaux larges tels que le TG-51 (AAPM) et le TRS-398 (IAEA) aux champs non standard qui requièrent un facteur de correction additionnel. Or, ces facteurs de correction sont difficiles à déterminer précisément dans un temps acceptable. Pour les petits champs, ces facteurs augmentent rapidement avec la taille de champ tandis que pour les champs d'IMRT, les incertitudes de positionnement du détecteur rendent une correction cas par cas impraticable. Dans cette étude, un critère théorique basé sur la fonction de réponse dosimétrique des détecteurs est développé pour déterminer dans quelles situations les dosimètres peuvent être utilisés sans correction. Les réponses de quatre chambres à ionisation, d'une chambre liquide, d'un détecteur au diamant, d'une diode, d'un détecteur à l'alanine et d'un détecteur à scintillation sont caractérisées à 6 MV et 25 MV. Plusieurs stratégies sont également suggérées pour diminuer/éliminer les facteurs de correction telles que de rapporter la dose absorbée à un volume et de modifier les matériaux non sensibles du détecteur pour pallier l'effet de densité massique. Une nouvelle méthode de compensation de la densité basée sur une fonction de perturbation est présentée. Finalement, les résultats démontrent que le détecteur à scintillation peut mesurer les champs non standard utilisés en clinique avec une correction inférieure à 1%. / In recent years, the radiation dosimetry community has shown a keen interest in extending broad beam dosimetry protocols such as AAPM's TG-51 and IAEA's TRS-398 to nonstandard fields which involve the use of an additional correction factor. Yet, these correction factors are difficult to determine precisely in a time frame that is acceptable. For small fields, these factors increase rapidly with field size, whereas for composite IMRT fields, detector positioning uncertainties render a case-by-case correction impractical. In this study, a theoretical criterion based on radiation detectors' dose response functions is used to determine in which situations a given dosimeter can be used without correction. The responses of four ionization chambers, a liquid-filled chamber, a diamond detector, an unshieded diode, an alanine dosimeter and a plastic scintillator detector are characterized at 6 MV and 25 MV. Several strategies are also suggested to reduce/eliminate correction factors such as reporting the absorbed dose to a volume and modifying the non-sensitive components of a detector to compensate for mass density effects. A new method of density compensation based on a perturbation function is presented. Finally, results show that the scintillator detector can measure nonstandard fields used in the clinic with corrections under 1%.

Depuis quelques années, il y a un intérêt de la communauté en dosimétrie d'actualiser les protocoles de dosimétrie des faisceaux larges tels que le TG-51 (AAPM) et le TRS-398 (IAEA) aux champs non standard qui requièrent un facteur de correction additionnel. Or, ces facteurs de correction sont difficiles à déterminer précisément dans un temps acceptable. Pour les petits champs, ces facteurs augmentent rapidement avec la taille de champ tandis que pour les champs d'IMRT, les incertitudes de positionnement du détecteur rendent une correction cas par cas impraticable. Dans cette étude, un critère théorique basé sur la fonction de réponse dosimétrique des détecteurs est développé pour déterminer dans quelles situations les dosimètres peuvent être utilisés sans correction. Les réponses de quatre chambres à ionisation, d'une chambre liquide, d'un détecteur au diamant, d'une diode, d'un détecteur à l'alanine et d'un détecteur à scintillation sont caractérisées à 6 MV et 25 MV. Plusieurs stratégies sont également suggérées pour diminuer/éliminer les facteurs de correction telles que de rapporter la dose absorbée à un volume et de modifier les matériaux non sensibles du détecteur pour pallier l'effet de densité massique. Une nouvelle méthode de compensation de la densité basée sur une fonction de perturbation est présentée. Finalement, les résultats démontrent que le détecteur à scintillation peut mesurer les champs non standard utilisés en clinique avec une correction inférieure à 1%. / In recent years, the radiation dosimetry community has shown a keen interest in extending broad beam dosimetry protocols such as AAPM's TG-51 and IAEA's TRS-398 to nonstandard fields which involve the use of an additional correction factor. Yet, these correction factors are difficult to determine precisely in a time frame that is acceptable. For small fields, these factors increase rapidly with field size, whereas for composite IMRT fields, detector positioning uncertainties render a case-by-case correction impractical. In this study, a theoretical criterion based on radiation detectors' dose response functions is used to determine in which situations a given dosimeter can be used without correction. The responses of four ionization chambers, a liquid-filled chamber, a diamond detector, an unshieded diode, an alanine dosimeter and a plastic scintillator detector are characterized at 6 MV and 25 MV. Several strategies are also suggested to reduce/eliminate correction factors such as reporting the absorbed dose to a volume and modifying the non-sensitive components of a detector to compensate for mass density effects. A new method of density compensation based on a perturbation function is presented. Finally, results show that the scintillator detector can measure nonstandard fields used in the clinic with corrections under 1%.

No Brasil, o câncer de mama é o mais frequente e a principal causa de morte entre as mulheres, para o ano de 2016 foram estimados 57.960 mil novos casos. A Tomossíntese Digital Mamária (TDM) reduz os efeitos da sobreposição do tecido da mama, oferecendo uma melhor caracterização dos achados mamográficos e diminuindo a necessidade de incidências adicionais. A recente introdução da TDM na prática clínica requer manutenção dos requisitos de dose e qualidade da imagem, além de rotinas de Controle de Qualidade (CQ) e monitoração da Dose Glandular Média (DGM), e também uma equipe técnica qualificada para executar o procedimento. A prática de monitoração da qualidade da imagem e da dose de radiação é uma solução para assegurar continuamente a alta qualidade de exames de radiodiagnóstico. São poucos os estudos relacionados ao CQ em TDM no Brasil, e ainda não foram estabelecidos protocolos nacionais e internacionais específicos; sendo assim, os testes de CQ utilizados são baseados naqueles utilizados pela National Health Service Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP), European Reference Organisation for Quality Assured Breast Screening and Diagnostic Service (EUREF), American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), Internacional Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Este estudo propõe e apresenta os resultados dos testes de CQ e DGM para mamografia e TDM, e um Protocolo de Rotina para exames de TDM. Os testes de CQ para TDM foram realizados conforme as recomendações do fabricante, da Portaria 2898/13 e de protocolos internacionais. O Protocolo de Rotina foi elaborado visando sanar as dúvidas mais frequentes da equipe técnica, assim como otimizar a qualidade do exame em sala. Para atestar a qualidade da imagem diagnóstica para todas as espessuras, foi realizado o teste de Qualidade de Imagem do simulador padrão do American College of Radiology (ACR). Na avaliação da DGM todos os valores obtidos para mamografia e TDM se mantiveram em conformidade com os limites de referência utilizados, exceto para a espessura de 20 mm em TDM. Para todos os outros testes de CQ, os resultados se mantiveram em conformidade com os limites de referência. Os resultados adquiridos nas avaliações reforçam a importância do controle de qualidade aplicado de forma adequada no processo de obtenção das imagens, assegurando baixa dose e boa qualidade da imagem, cumprindo o princípio ALARA. / In Brazil, breast cancer is the most common and the leading cause of death among women; in 2015, 57,120,000 new cases. Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT) reduces the effects of overlapping breast tissue, offering a better characterization of mammographic findings and decreasing the need of additional views. The recent introduction of DBT in clinical practice requires, in order to maintain the dose requirements and image quality, aside from routine Quality Control (QC) procedures and monitoring the Mean Glandular Dose (MGD) also a qualified technical team to perform the procedure. The practice of monitoring the image quality and the radiation dose is a solution to continuously ensure high quality diagnostic radiology exams. Few studies related to CQ TDM in Brazil, and national and international specific protocols have not been established, Thus, QC tests used are based on those used by the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP), European Reference Organization for Quality Assured Breast Screening and Diagnostic Service (EUREF), American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This study proposes and presents the results of the QC tests and DGM for mammography and TDM, and routine protocol for TDM tests. The QC tests for TDM were performed according to the manufacturer's recommendations, of Portaria 2898/13 and international protocols. The Routine Protocol was elaborated aiming to resolve the most frequent doubts of the technical team, as well as optimize the room examination. In order to certify the quality of the diagnostic image for all thicknesses, a imagine quality test from the standard simulator of American College of Radiology (ACR) was performed. In the DGM evaluation, all values mammography and TDM remained in accordance with the reference range used except for 20 mm TDM. For all other QC tests, the results remained in accordance with the reference limits. The results obtained in the assessments emphasize the importance of quality control applied properly in obtaining the imaging process, ensuring low dose and good image quality, fulfilling the ALARA principle.

No Brasil, o câncer de mama é o mais frequente e a principal causa de morte entre as mulheres, para o ano de 2016 foram estimados 57.960 mil novos casos. A Tomossíntese Digital Mamária (TDM) reduz os efeitos da sobreposição do tecido da mama, oferecendo uma melhor caracterização dos achados mamográficos e diminuindo a necessidade de incidências adicionais. A recente introdução da TDM na prática clínica requer manutenção dos requisitos de dose e qualidade da imagem, além de rotinas de Controle de Qualidade (CQ) e monitoração da Dose Glandular Média (DGM), e também uma equipe técnica qualificada para executar o procedimento. A prática de monitoração da qualidade da imagem e da dose de radiação é uma solução para assegurar continuamente a alta qualidade de exames de radiodiagnóstico. São poucos os estudos relacionados ao CQ em TDM no Brasil, e ainda não foram estabelecidos protocolos nacionais e internacionais específicos; sendo assim, os testes de CQ utilizados são baseados naqueles utilizados pela National Health Service Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP), European Reference Organisation for Quality Assured Breast Screening and Diagnostic Service (EUREF), American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), Internacional Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Este estudo propõe e apresenta os resultados dos testes de CQ e DGM para mamografia e TDM, e um Protocolo de Rotina para exames de TDM. Os testes de CQ para TDM foram realizados conforme as recomendações do fabricante, da Portaria 2898/13 e de protocolos internacionais. O Protocolo de Rotina foi elaborado visando sanar as dúvidas mais frequentes da equipe técnica, assim como otimizar a qualidade do exame em sala. Para atestar a qualidade da imagem diagnóstica para todas as espessuras, foi realizado o teste de Qualidade de Imagem do simulador padrão do American College of Radiology (ACR). Na avaliação da DGM todos os valores obtidos para mamografia e TDM se mantiveram em conformidade com os limites de referência utilizados, exceto para a espessura de 20 mm em TDM. Para todos os outros testes de CQ, os resultados se mantiveram em conformidade com os limites de referência. Os resultados adquiridos nas avaliações reforçam a importância do controle de qualidade aplicado de forma adequada no processo de obtenção das imagens, assegurando baixa dose e boa qualidade da imagem, cumprindo o princípio ALARA. / In Brazil, breast cancer is the most common and the leading cause of death among women; in 2015, 57,120,000 new cases. Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT) reduces the effects of overlapping breast tissue, offering a better characterization of mammographic findings and decreasing the need of additional views. The recent introduction of DBT in clinical practice requires, in order to maintain the dose requirements and image quality, aside from routine Quality Control (QC) procedures and monitoring the Mean Glandular Dose (MGD) also a qualified technical team to perform the procedure. The practice of monitoring the image quality and the radiation dose is a solution to continuously ensure high quality diagnostic radiology exams. Few studies related to CQ TDM in Brazil, and national and international specific protocols have not been established, Thus, QC tests used are based on those used by the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP), European Reference Organization for Quality Assured Breast Screening and Diagnostic Service (EUREF), American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This study proposes and presents the results of the QC tests and DGM for mammography and TDM, and routine protocol for TDM tests. The QC tests for TDM were performed according to the manufacturer's recommendations, of Portaria 2898/13 and international protocols. The Routine Protocol was elaborated aiming to resolve the most frequent doubts of the technical team, as well as optimize the room examination. In order to certify the quality of the diagnostic image for all thicknesses, a imagine quality test from the standard simulator of American College of Radiology (ACR) was performed. In the DGM evaluation, all values mammography and TDM remained in accordance with the reference range used except for 20 mm TDM. For all other QC tests, the results remained in accordance with the reference limits. The results obtained in the assessments emphasize the importance of quality control applied properly in obtaining the imaging process, ensuring low dose and good image quality, fulfilling the ALARA principle.