The 39 papers published last year in European Radiology and Insights into Imaging in the field of radiation protection represent a huge number, as does the strong increase over the years of the number of electronic posters submitted to ECRs. There are several reasons for this momentum: the basic safety standard (BSS), the most recent European regulation had to be transposed by February 2019, which was important. Furthermore, the development of dose reduction systems based on new technology or image processing, including artificial intelligence, is also a major contributor.
Publications released in 2019 were mostly dedicated to radiation dose optimization in adults, children, and pregnancy in both diagnostic and interventional procedures. There was a special interest for Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRL) establishment, using dose management systems and with some consideration of the clinical situation [1]. Variations in observed dose exposure in similar situations were pointed out, thus highlighting the need to further challenge variabilities in routine practice [2]. The EUCLID study reveals highly interesting findings [3] and should be published soon.
Dose reduction software as iteratively reported is very promising; however, the full impact is difficult to assess because it is considered separately and not in association. An approach integrating the parallel use of each of them might need to be further addressed.
Technological advances focus on dual-energy approaches, while photon-counting detectors are mostly overlooked, despite current significant development in Europe.
Research in the field of low dose is another major concern [4] and addresses several needs such as establishing European infrastructures, improving our understanding of the mechanisms of exposure effects in oncology and non-oncology changes, making dose measurement more accurate, and finally, implementing justification in clinical practice. The ongoing MEDIRAD project addresses these topics [5].
In radiation protection, justification and epidemiological risk assessment of low-dose exposure are critical issues. Not surprisingly, none is addressed. Implementation of the justification principle was certainly the weakest aspect of past European Directives output and remains a most challenging feature of BSS implementation today. Meanwhile, the initial dissemination of the ESR clinical decision support system (ESR iGuide) in Europe seems very promising, and we do hope to be reading reports of first experience soon. The risk of low-dose exposures health effect is still very much debated, in particular for children. Epi-CT is a multinational study funded by the European Commission [6], but the main conclusions we are eager to learn about are not published yet. Today, there is no consensus about established risks for the children and a regular overview of the literature on this topic would be welcome [7].
Most of the papers are from European teams. Comparison with studies performed outside of Europe would be highly interesting as routine practice might be different. One of the emerging concerns is about the increase of recurrent exposure. This is an example of these differences, as the magnitude of the phenomenon seems different when comparing two sides of the Atlantic, and the resulting recommendations should be adapted to the local setting [8]. EuroSafe Imaging is preparing recommendations to enhance the safety of patients undergoing recurrent imaging exams involving ionizing radiation.
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Frija, G. Recent updates in radioprotection. Eur Radiol 31, 599–600 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-020-07102-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-020-07102-2