CT Optimization Series for Medical Physicists

CT Optimization Series for Medical Physicists

Optimization of medical imaging procedures in Computed Tomography (CT) is a fundamental requirement of quality practices. It should be considered as a prospective and iterative process that starts with an assessment of image quality and radiation dose. ?Specific steps for a successful optimization include establishment of a quality assurance programme, establishment of a multidisciplinary optimization team, determination of baseline dose levels and image quality, modification of protocols by the medical physicist and regular review of patient dose and image quality.

The Clinically Qualified Medical Physicists (CQMPs) take a proactive lead in the everyday clinical routine in order to promote the value of optimization process. Their knowledge is applied to the development and optimization of new imaging techniques and protocols towards effective and safe use of CT.

Complementary to the existing video tutorials explaining how to perform quality control tests in a hospitals , the six ?video tutorials listed below aim at to supporting CQMPs to develop optimization strategy in CT, to understand Automatic Exposure Control (AEC) in CT, to learn how to test the AEC, to understand elements of a CT protocols and impact of different scan parameters, ?to learn how to adapt exiting and make new protocols, to understand? image reconstruction process and its impact on image quality in CT and learn about software tools for image analysis.

The videos can be watched freely through clicking on the relevant titles below:

1. Optimization strategy for CT
2. Automatic Exposure Control
3. Quality assurance of the Automatic Exposure Control
4. CT protocols management
5. Image reconstruction
6. Software for image Analysis

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The videos are intended to be used by?clinically qualified medical physicists (CQMPs)? with underlying knowledge in the field of diagnostic radiology medical physics. IAEA publications and content relevant to diagnostic radiology medical physics can be found on a dedicated?webpage.

Acknowledgement

The video tutorials were developed as part of the IAEA Technical Cooperation Project RER6042 Building Capacities of Medical Physicists in Diagnostic Radiology to Support the Establishment of Quality Management Systems.

Disclaimer

The appearance of names of specific companies or products does not imply any intention to infringe proprietary rights, nor should it be construed as an endorsement or recommendation on the part of the IAEA.

Contributors

The IAEA acknowledges work of David Platten and Emily Smith from United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, UK who developed the video tutorials and extends special thanks to Gareth Iball, Elly Castellano, Jake Smith and United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals.

The IAEA Section responsible for this activity is the Section of Dosimetry and Medical Radiation Physics (DMRP) of the Division of Human Health at the IAEA.