A practical guide for paediatric diagnostic reference levels (PiDRLs)

• Published in: Journal of medical imaging and radiation sciences Vol. 53; no. 1; p. 123
• Main Authors: Lackay, Olivia, Horn-Lodewyk, Je'nine, Muller, Henra
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.03.2022
• Subjects: Child; Diagnostic Reference Levels; Humans; Radiation Dosage; Radiography; Radiology, Interventional; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - methods; conventional radiography; chest radiography; diagnostic reference levels; dose optimisation; paediatric diagnostic reference levels; PiDRL; paediatric
• ISSN: 1876-7982
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmir.2021.12.005

This guide was designed to provide a foundation for developing paediatric diagnostic reference levels (PiDRLs) for conventional radiography. In principle, the calculation of diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) is recommended for diagnostic x-ray imaging examinations for radiosensitive patients, such as paediatric patients. PiDRLs are fundamentally important when considering dose optimisation in diagnostic radiology, computed tomography and interventional radiology for paediatric patients. DRLs can assist to point to non-optimised practices and the improvement of paediatric dose optimisation. The purpose of this continuing medical education article is to give medical radiation professionals an overview of PiDRLs for conventional radiography, an understanding of the benefits, the data collection process and some of the calculation methods. The readers can use these steps to establish and implement PiDRLs for different examinations.