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NEWS AND EVENTS |
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| Year : 2012 | Volume
: 37
| Issue : 2 | Page : 117-119 |
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News and Events
Ganesh Tharmarnadar
Department of Radiation Oncology, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| Date of Web Publication | 7-Apr-2012 |
Correspondence Address:
Ganesh Tharmarnadar
Department of Radiation Oncology, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Dammam
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
How to cite this article:
Tharmarnadar G. News and Events. J Med Phys 2012;37:117-9 |
American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) issues statement on discussion of risks related to radiation dose from medical imaging procedures
In a policy statement released on December 13, 2011, AAPM stressed that discussion of risks related to radiation dose from medical imaging procedures should be accompanied by acknowledgment of the benefits of the procedures. It discourages predictions of hypothetical cancer incidence and deaths in patient populations exposed to low-dose radiations saying that they are speculative in nature. Refusal to undergo medical imaging procedures based on such sensational predictions would do substantial harm to the patients who need them, the statement further states.
From: http://aapm.org/org/policies/details.asp?id=318andtype=PPandcurrent=true
Computed tomography terminology lexicon
For a CT technologist working with multiple CT scanners from different manufacturers, the different names and the different scan acquisition and reconstruction parameters can be quite confusing and can prove to be a potential source of error. A topogram taken prior to axial scanning is a typical example of such wide use of multiple terminologies for a single parameter. It is known as scout, surview, topogram, and scanogram in CT scanners of different makes by different manufacturers. A number of individuals and groups have advocated for terminology standardization in CT. As a first step toward such standardization, AAPM has come out with a lexicon of terminologies used in CT scanners from different manufacturers. This is an ongoing project. As the standardization work progresses, AAPM's website http://www.aapm.org/pubs/CTProtocols/default.asp?tab=5#CTabbedPanels will be continuously updated on the developments. The lexicon gives a compilation of all such multiple terminologies used during/in scan acquisition, dose modulation and reduction tools, multiple slice detector geometry, image reconstruction and display, contrast media tools, multi-planar formats, service and application tools, and in CT workflow. The latest lexicon can be downloaded from the website.
International Organization for Standardization revises classification for sealed radioactive sources
The ISO published ISO 2919:2012, revising its classification system for sealed radioactive sources based on test performance and general requirements, performance tests, production tests, marking, and certification. The standard provides a set of tests by which manufacturers of sealed radioactive sources can evaluate the safety of their products in use, and users of such sources can select types which are suitable for the required application, especially where protection against the release of radioactive material, with consequent exposure to ionizing radiation, is concerned. ISO 2919:2012 (published on Feb 14, 2012) can also serve as guidance to regulating authorities.
http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue/catalogue_tc/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=54441
International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA) draft on Guiding Principles for Establishing a Radiation Protection Culture
The IRPA has issued a preliminary draft document on Guiding Principles for Establishing a Radiation Protection Culture. The 12-page document can be downloaded using this link:
http://www.irpa.net/index.php/publications/doc_download/3710-irpa-draft-principles-for-establishing-a-radiation-protection-culture.html dated Feb 15, 2012
Questions raised on the 1946 findings about radiation-induced genetic mutations and the adoption of linear dose-response model thereof
Evidences have emerged that key findings were suppressed in 1946 when it was declared that there is no safe level of radiation exposure.
In 1946, Hermann Muller was awarded the Nobel Prize in medicine for his discovery that X-rays induce genetic mutations. Muller then claimed there is no safe level of radiation exposure. Now, a scientist from the University of Massachusetts Amherst has uncovered evidence from classified files that Muller knowingly lied, though his intentions were good, when he made his claim about no safe level of radiation exposure. Environmental toxicologist Edward Calabrese has done research works on the effects of low doses of some chemicals and radiation. According to Calabrese, Muller's decision not to mention certain key scientific evidence against his position had far-reaching consequences and eventually led to the use of linear dose-response model for gonadal mutations and cancer.
From: http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/article2473669 .ece dated Sept 22, 2011
Fourth year medical graduate students take e-learning module on radiation protection as part of their academic curriculum
In an effort to make medical professionals understand appropriate utilization and aware of possible adverse effects of ionizing radiation, the University Cork College in Cork, Ireland, has implemented an e-learning module to ensure its medical students graduate with knowledge of radiation protection. The module was developed in such a way not to overburden students with more lectures and tutorials. The students will have to complete this e-module during the fourth year of their course.
From: www.diagnosticimaging.com dated Feb 29, 2012
Radiation therapy volume statistics in United States of America
The Medical Information Division of IMV published 2011 Radiation Therapy Market Summary Report for USA in February, 2012. According to this report, there are 2290 sites providing radiation therapy treatments in USA. These sites witnessed a total of 20.8 million treatment visits by patients in 2010. The treatment courses were close to a million and nearly a quarter of these courses were for breast cancer treatments. Almost all of these sites have record and verify system installed, and about 65% of them have moved toward electronic medical record system. As compared to just 15% of the total sites offering image-guided radiotherapy services in 2004, 76% of the sites have acquired this advanced technology in year 2011. Similarly, the number of centers having CT simulators also saw a steep growth - currently, almost three-fourths of the centers have this facility as opposed to just one-third in 2003. Another interesting finding in the report was about the systems having cone-beam CT (CBCT), ultrasound, and electronic portal imaging (EPI) features. While the CBCT systems grew in number, systems using ultrasound or EPI declined. These figures and many other related information give valuable insight into the growth of radiation therapy facilities and technologies in USA.
From: www.Auntminnie.com dated March 8, 2012 and http://www.imvinfo.com/index.aspx?sec=roncandsub=disanditemid=200091
Recent publications of interest from Inter-national Atomic Energy Agency
Nuclear Cardiology: Its Role in Cost Effective Care
IAEA Human Health Series 18
http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/Pub1516_web.pdf
Nuclear Data for the Production of Therapeutic Radionuclides
Technical Reports Series 473
http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/trs473_web.pdf
Quality Assurance Programme for Digital Mammography
IAEA Human Health Series 17
http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/Pub1482_web.pdf
Implementation of the International Code of Practice on Dosimetry in Diagnostic Radiology (TRS 457): Review of Test Results
IAEA Human Health Reports 4
http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/Pub1498_web.pdf
Status of Computed Tomography Dosimetry for Wide Cone Beam Scanners
IAEA Human Health Reports 5
http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/Pub1528_web.pdf
Use of Mathematical Modeling in Electron Beam Processing: A Guidebook
IAEA Radiation Technology Series 1
http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/Pub1474_Web.pdf
Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources: International Basic Safety Standards - Interim Edition
IAEA Safety Standards Series GSR Part 3 (Interim)
http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/p1531interim_web.pdf
Avoidance of Unnecessary Dose to Patients While Transitioning from Analogue to Digital Radiology
IAEA TECDOC 1667
http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/te_1667_web.pdf
Clinical Training of Medical Physicists Specializing in Nuclear Medicine
Training Course Series 50
http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/TCS-50_web.pdf
Standards, Applications and Quality Assurance in Medical Radiation Dosimetry (IDOS)
Proceedings of an International Symposium, Vienna, 9-12 Nov 2010 (2 Volumes)
http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/P1514_web/p1514_vol1_web.pdf
EVENTS
International
ICMP 2013 - International Conference on Medical Physics
Dates: Sept 1- 4, 2013
Place: Brighton International Centre, UK
For further details: http://www.icmp2013.org
13 th International Congress of the International Radiation Protection Association
Dates: May 13-18, 2012
Place: Glasgow, Scotland
For further details: http://www.irpa13glasgow.com/
National
AMPICON 2012 - The 33 rd National Conference of Association of Medical Physicists of India
Theme:
Frontiers in Medical Physics - Innovations and Challenges
Dates: Nov 1-3, 2012
Place: Mangalore, Karnataka, India
For further details: http://www.ampicon2012.org.in/ampicon2012.html
AROICON 2012 - The 34 th Annual National Conference of the Association of Radiation Oncologists of India
Dates: Nov 29-Dec 2, 2012
Place: Kolkata, West Bengal, India
For further details: http://aroicon2012kolkata.org/
CME on Basic and Clinical Applications of Radioisotopes
Dates: March 31 and April 1, 2012
Place: Meerut, UP, India
Program: http://snmindia.org/newsite/FINAL_Scientific_Program-meerut.pdf
44 th Annual Conference of Society of Nuclear Medicine, India
Dates: Nov 29-Dec 2, 2012
Place: Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
For further details: [email protected]
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