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CT diagnostic reference levels based on clinical indications: results of a large-scale European survey

  • Computed Tomography
  • Published:
European Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objectives

The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of defining diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) on a European basis for specific clinical indications (CIs), within the context of the European Clinical DRLs (EUCLID) European Commission project.

Methods

A prospective, multicenter, industry-independent European study was performed to provide data on 10 CIs (stroke, chronic sinusitis, cervical spine trauma, pulmonary embolism, coronary calcium scoring, coronary angiography, lung cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, colic/abdominal pain, and appendicitis) via an online survey that included information on patient clinical, technical, and dosimetric parameters. Data from at least 20 patients per CI were requested from each hospital. To establish DRLs, a methodology in line with the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) Report 135 good practice recommendations was followed.

Results

Data were collected from 19 hospitals in 14 European countries on 4299 adult patients and 10 CIs to determine DRLs. DRLs differ considerably between sites for the same CI. Differences were attributed mainly to technical protocol and variable number of phases/scan lengths. Stroke and hepatocellular carcinoma were the CIs with the highest DRLs. Coronary calcium scoring had the lowest DRL value. Comparison with published literature was limited, as there was scarce information on DRLs based on CI.

Conclusions

This is the first study reporting on feasibility of establishing CT DRLs based on CI using European data. Resulting values will serve as a baseline for comparison with local radiological practice, national authorities when DRLs are set/updated, or as a guideline for local DRL establishment.

Key Points

• First study reporting on the feasibility of establishing CT diagnostic reference levels based on clinical indication using data collected across Europe.

• Only one-fourth of the hospitals had CT machines less than 5 years old.

• Large dose variations were observed among hospitals and CT protocols were quite different between hospitals.

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Abbreviations

AEC:

Automatic exposure control

BSS:

Basic safety standards

CI:

Clinical indication

CT:

Computed tomography

CTDI:

Computed Tomography Dose Index

CTDIvol,p:

Average Volume Computed Tomography Dose Index for multiphase CT

CTDIvol:

Volumetric Computed Tomography Dose Index

DLP:

Dose length product

DLPp:

Dose length product (DLP) per phase

DLPt:

Total DLP

DRL:

Diagnostic reference levels

EAP:

External Advisory Panel

EUCLID:

European Study on Clinical Diagnostic Reference Levels for X-ray Medical Imaging

ICRP:

International Commission of Radiological Protection

IDL:

Interactive Data Language

REDCap:

Research Electronic Data Capture

SAS:

Statistical Analysis System

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the contribution of hospital data managers without who establishment of EUCLID DRLs would not have been possible. Also the support of representatives of national authorities, professional societies, and European and International organizations is also acknowledged.

Funding

The EUCLID project was financially supported by the grant ENER/2017/NUCL/SI2.759174 of the European Commission.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Konstantopoulio General Hospital, Agias Olgas 3-5, 14233, Nea Ionia, Athens, Greece

    Virginia Tsapaki

  2. School of Medicine, University of Crete, Iraklion, Crete, Greece

    John Damilakis

  3. Medical Imaging and Radiotherapy Department, Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra, ESTESC - Coimbra Health School, Coimbra, Portugal

    Graciano Paulo

  4. Department of Medical and Occupational Radiation Protection, Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Neuherberg, Germany

    Alexander A. Schegerer

  5. Radiation Protection and Image Processing Systems, Hirslanden AG, Glattpark, Switzerland

    Alexander A. Schegerer

  6. St Nom la Bretèche, France

    Jacques Repussard

  7. Department of Radiology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria

    Werner Jaschke

  8. Paris Descartes University, Paris, France

    Guy Frija

Authors
  1. Virginia Tsapaki
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  2. John Damilakis
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  3. Graciano Paulo
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  4. Alexander A. Schegerer
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  5. Jacques Repussard
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  7. Guy Frija
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Virginia Tsapaki.

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The scientific guarantor of this publication is Professor John Damilakis.

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The authors of this manuscript declare no relationships with any companies whose products or services may be related to the subject matter of the article.

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No complex statistical methods were necessary for this paper.

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Written informed consent was waived by the Institutional Review Board.

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Tsapaki, V., Damilakis, J., Paulo, G. et al. CT diagnostic reference levels based on clinical indications: results of a large-scale European survey. Eur Radiol 31, 4459–4469 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-020-07652-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-020-07652-5

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