Jonathan Cole – Page 6 – Fluoroscopy Users' Group

FLUG 2017 – Development of a software based on an anthropomorphic image atlas for image quality optimization in interventional radiology: initial results for 3D angiography; Michaël Gautier

23rd November 201728th December 2017 By Jonathan Cole Comment Closed

Purpose To provide a protocol optimization software helping radiologist to tailor image quality (IQ) in Interventional Radiology (IR) thanks to an anthropomorphic images atlas. Method and materials For the four most representative anatomic areas of our clinical practice (liver, pelvis, lung, spleen), five reference protocols were set-up in our interventional radiology system (Innova IGS 540, GE Healthcare, Buc, France) with different IQ/dose preferences from low dose to high Image Quality (IQ). These preferences were defined by adjusting the Automatic Dose Rate and Image Quality (ADRIQ) strategy, the detail level and the rotation speed for 3DA sequences. For these 20 protocols, 3D angiography images were acquired on an anthropomorphic phantom (PBU-60, Kyoto Kagaku). All acquired images were qualitatively validated by a senior radiologist. These images were implemented in a home-made software (ProtoEnhanceIR) in order to optimize protocols by displaying the anthropomorphic images and associated Peak Skin Dose (PSD). The radiologist has the ability to select the most suitable protocols in regard...

FLUG 2017 – Business Meeting; FLUG team

23rd November 201728th December 2017 By Jonathan Cole Comment Closed

Elections due The Chair (Jonathan Cole) is up for re-election. Nominations were invited from anyone else who wishes to stand. Constitutional amendments An amendment was passed to add a quorum for certain actions to the constitution. ...

FLUG 2017 – Assessment of Fluoroscopy Mode on the Varian TrueBeam Linear Accelerator; Claire Jerrom

23rd November 201728th December 2017 By Jonathan Cole Comment Closed

The X-Ray Imaging System on Varian TrueBeam Linear Accelerators can be used to acquire fluoroscopic images to aid radiotherapy treatment planning and verification. Six Varian TrueBeam units were installed in the Radiotherapy Department at Guy's Cancer Centre in June 2016. The fluoroscopy programmes were tested on three of the units during the commissioning period, and were deemed to be unsuitable for clinical use at that time due to the high skin dose rates and poor image quality. The radiotherapy department planned to use the fluoroscopy mode to observe lung tumour motion by screening the patient for a period of several breathing cycles using a low frame rate and with the beam collimated to the area of interest in the lung. Screening would be performed in AP and LAT orientations prior to the delivery of each radiotherapy fraction. Additional measurements were carried out in March 2017 to investigate the fluoroscopy programmes further, with the eventual aim of bringing these programmes into...

FLUG 2017 – Dose variation in Barium/water soluble swallow studies; Leanne Royle

23rd November 201728th December 2017 By Jonathan Cole Comment Closed

Barium swallows continue to prove their usefulness in a wide range of diagnosis and within Guys and ST Thomas’ Trust are the most common fluoroscopy procedure performed. They are performed mostly by the junior registrars and discussed with senior consultants to come to a useful conclusion to aid in the diagnosis or ongoing management of the patient. There is a general protocol registrars use to complete a study, which we are taught early in our training. However this varies depending on the clinical indication and question to be answered. As fluoroscopy is a dynamic test, the patterns of practice change in real time depending on the findings of the study. As with any fluoroscopic investigation, screening time has to be considered alongside the need for diagnostic images. Our project investigates the range of doses in over 400 barium/water soluble swallows performed within our trust over the period January to June 2017. We have reviewed the indications and protocols used with...

FLUG 2017 – The effect of higher pulse rates on radiation dose and detection of aspiration and penetration in video fluoroscopy; Hazel Gray

23rd November 201728th December 2017 By Jonathan Cole Comment Closed

Introduction: Videofluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS) are used to assess the risk of airway compromise in patients with dysphagia. There is evidence to suggest that the optimisation of pulse rates in VFSS is paramount to the accurate detection of aspiration and penetration 1. This has implications for food and fluid viscosity and texture recommendations2, as well as length of stay and patient mortality3. This study aims to analyse the effect of higher pulse rates in VFSS on the detection of aspiration and patient dose. Objectives: 1) To optimise techniques and assess the effects of higher pulse rates on the detection of airway compromise events in VFSS for patients with dysphagia 2) To compare the patient radiation doses between teams A and B using different protocols and pulse rates Methodology: A prospective analysis of VFSS footage was collected over two rounds of the study between September 2016 and July 2017. Team B continued with their protocol of 7.5pps and team A started a protocol using 30pps. A radiation...

FLUG 2017 – Validation of peak skin doses calculated by an open source skin dose mapping software package; Debbie Harries

23rd November 20178th January 2018 By Jonathan Cole Comment Closed

Purpose: To assess the accuracy of estimates of peak skin dose (PSD) obtained from an open source (openSkin, as integrated into OpenREM) skin dose mapping software package and the accuracy of estimates of peak reference point air kerma obtained from a commercially available (DoseWatch, GE Healthcare©) dose management package. Materials and Methods: A 32 x 32 x 20 cm PMMA phantom was subject to a series of simple fluoroscopic and acquisition exposures in a Siemens Artis Zee cardiac catheter laboratory. Direct measurements of PSD were obtained using either an RTI T20 solid state dose meter or 35 x 43 cm Gafchromic XR-type film fixed to the exposed surface of the PMMA phantom. These measurements were then compared with the PSD values calculated by openSkin under conditions of matched-phantom geometry. The PSD measurements were also compared with the peak reference point air kerma values calculated by the DoseWatch cumulative incidence map, a feature of the commercially available DoseWatch dose management package. Results: The DoseWatch...

FLUG 2017 – Potential utility of linking staff dose records to RDSR patient dose records – early impressions; Siân Vaughan

23rd November 201728th December 2017 By Jonathan Cole Comment Closed

The Ray Safe electronic staff dosimeter has been adopted by Philips Healthcare and integrated into its latest interventional x-ray units. These units are able to pick up the staff member wearing the dosimeter and assign the dose that they receive to the precise part of the examination as defined by the DICOM RDSR patient dose report. The staff doses are then exported in a format similar to a patient dose report. This work will present early findings of using this system, including pitfalls of implementation along with early analysis of data showing how staff dose may be analysed in conjunction with gantry geometry and patient dose. One interesting analysis has been the production of gantry angulation 'heat maps' showing at what angulation staff are receiving most dose - this may be of use for staff dose optimisation efforts. The system may also facilitate impact assessments of staff dose reduction strategies, such as the StarBoard radial armboard system. The longer term...

FLUG 2017 – Finger dose monitoring of vascular surgeons performing EVAR procedures; Jane Edwards

23rd November 201728th December 2017 By Jonathan Cole Comment Closed

Objectives Vascular surgeons are now routinely working with X-rays for endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVARs) procedures. We aim to assess the impact of finger dose from these procedures to all surgeons performing complex endovascular procedures (CEP) at our Trust. Methods Since July 2015 all surgeons performing CEP have routinely worn finger ring monitors after gaining appropriate infection control advice. Finger monitors are worn for a two monthly period on the middle finger of each hand. Collar dose and whole body monitoring was already in place for these users. At the end of each monitoring period patient dose data, in terms of dose area product (DAP) and reference point dose, were collated for each case performed. This data was then summarised for each user and collated with the badge results from the dosimetry service. Results are also compared to local Trust dose investigation levels (DILs) to ensure all users are not at risk of approaching a dose limit. Results The data for each monitored surgeon shows...

FLUG 2017 – Skin doses in cardiology – a phantom study; Martin Williams

23rd November 201728th December 2017 By Jonathan Cole Comment Closed

Since the publication of IPEM Report 77 in 1997 the guidance for assessing typical skin dose rates likely to be received by patients undergoing fluoroscopic procedures has been to measure the dose rate at the surface of a phantom 20 cm in thickness. Increasingly in interventional cardiology, practitioners are making use of imaging projections that result in patient thickness being significantly greater than that currently considered typical for the purposes of performance testing. Consequently, the behaviour of modern fluoroscopic imaging systems at these steeper projections and the resulting typical patient skin dose rates is not likely to be well understood by users or the medical physics community supporting optimisation of such equipment. The Radiation Protection department at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre supports 10 cardiac catheterization labs across five NHS Trusts. A project was performed to assess the behaviour of these 10 systems and resulting typical skin dose rates using a set-up designed to mimic the steeper projections being performed...

Election results

2nd August 20172nd August 2017 By Jonathan Cole Comment Closed

Martin Williams has been elected to the third FLUG officer post. We'd like to thank all the nominees for standing and the members for voting. Martin joins Ana and Jonathan bringing the FLUG team up to its full compliment....