Patient dosimetry measurements in 50 radiology departments in Belgium.

Since July 2001, the Belgian law requires a yearly quality control measurement on all medical radiological equipment. The medical physicists of the AV Controlatom are certified experts in Belgium and perform these quality control measurements, including a patient dosimetry study. In this study, patient dosimetry results since January 2002 are presented for the following examinations: chest PA and LAT, abdomen and pelvis. Since conventional film-based imaging is currently being replaced by phosphorplate technology, a comparison between both technologies is made. In some radiology departments, digital imaging is already in use. These dosimetry results are also analysed. Dose reductions of >70% can be achieved. For the chest examinations, several departments still use fluoroscopy for positioning the patient. Results show that about half of the patient dose is due to the fluoroscopy. A comparison between the dose results and the European Diagnostic Reference Levels (EDRL) is made.