[Radiation exposure of patients from diagnostic and interventional X-ray procedures. Facts, assessment and trends].

Man-made radiation exposure to the German population predominantly results from the medical use of ionizing radiation. According to the most recent evaluation, the mean effective dose per inhabitant and year from X-ray procedures increased from 1.6 to 1.8 mSv between 1996 and 2001. This rise is mainly caused by the expanding use of CT and reflects the growing importance of this imaging modality. Besides actual data on the frequency and dose of various types of X-ray examinations, patient-specific factors will be highlighted which have to be considered in the assessment of the associated individual and collective radiation risk. Moreover, different concepts to reduce radiation exposure of patients will be discussed as well as some current trends in health service that may affect radiation hygiene -- such as diagnosis-related groups for inpatients and CT screening.