1.Analysis of CT doses to paediatric patients in four children′s hospitals in Shanghai
Xuexin WEN ; Jie YAO ; Linfeng GAO ; Yuhua YAO
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection 2023;43(2):124-130
Objective:To study the distribution of CT doses to paediatric patients in Shanghai by investigating the CT dose parameters availiable in Shanghai′s children′s hospticals, and to provide the basis for establishing the diagnostic reference level for the paediatic patients subjected to CT scanning in Shanghai.Methods:In 2021, a general survey was carried out of the CT doses to the head, chest and abdomen of the scanned paediatric patients in four children′s hospitals in the municipality. The scanned paediatic patients were divided into four age groups of 0-, 1-, 5- and 10-15 years old, each with 30 subjects. The basic information were collected on the subjects, CT scanning parameters, volume CT dose index (CTDI vol) and dose length product (DLP). SPSS 16.0 was used to carry out statistical analysis of the differences in CTDI vol and DLP between different age groups at the same site and between different hospitals for the same age group at the same site. Results:The 75 th percentile values of CTDI vol and DLP for 0-, 1-, 5- and 10-15 age groups were 25, 25, 28, 43 mGy and 402, 477, 504, 752 mGy·cm, respectively, for head scanning; 2.7, 2.2, 2.8, 5.4 mGy and 40, 48, 75 and 176 mGy·cm for chest; and 4.9, 4.4, 8.2, 12 mGy and 106, 131, 273, 471 mGy·cm for abdomen. There were significant differences in CTDI vol and DLP between different age groups at the same site and between different hospitals for the same age group at the same site (head, chest and abdomen CTDI vol:χ2=221.68, 167.27, 127.07, DLP: χ2=220.63, 261.46, 216.61; for four age groups, CTDI vol: head χ2=30.46, 38.39, 25.21, 73.04, chest χ2=30.46, 35.69, 58.92, and 48.03, abdomen χ2=66.58, 41.62, 48.93, and 67.38; DLP: head χ2=28.82, 72.49, 47.72, 52.34, chest χ2=28.82, 35.95, 50.66, 41.64, abdomen χ2=45.53, 26.02 39.34, 44.24, P <0.05 ). Conclusions:The 75 th percentile values of CTDI vol and DLP for head, chest and abdomen in 4 children′s hospitals in Shanghai are lower or close to the values given in the relevant national standards and the diagnostic reference levels in some European countries, with higher DLP values on some scanning sites. The CT scanning procedures for paediatric patients needs to be further optimized.
2.Monitoring on individual dose among radiation workers in medical institutions in Shanghai from 2015 to 2019
Aijun QIAN ; Xuexin WEN ; Linfeng GAO ; Jie YAO
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2022;34(7):634-637
ObjectiveTo determine the individual dose level and changing trend in the occupational external exposure of radiation workers in Shanghai, and provide scientific evidence for health risk assessment for radiation workers. MethodsIn the Occupational Health Management System for Radiation Workers of the National Health Commission-External Exposure Personal Monitoring and Management Subsystem, we retrieved the monitoring data of 38 077 external exposure individual dose of all medical radiation workers in Shanghai from 2015 to 2019. Using clustered sampling method, a total of 11 370 radiation workers in medical institutions (including tertiary, secondary, and primary hospitals) were selected in the study. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS 22.0. ResultsThe collective annual effective dose of 11 370 radiation workers was determined to be 4.340 person Sv, including 2.270 man·mSv in diagnostic radiology, 1.112 man·mSv in interventional radiology, and <0.5 man·mSv in other categories. The average annual effective dose was 0.382 mSv, which was 0.482 mSv in nuclear medicine, 0.431 mSv in radiotherapy, and <0.5 mSv in other categories. Moreover, the average annual effective dose of 6 workers (0.05%) was higher than 5 mSv, whereas that of 10 453 workers (92%) were less than 1 mSv; in addition, the annual dose of 911 workers (8.0%) was between 1‒5 mSv. All workers had average annual effctive dose lower than 20 mSv. The annual effective dose differed significantly by years (F=161.1, P<0.01), by occupational groups (F=13.5, P<0.01), and by hospital levels (F=264.5, P<0.01). ConclusionThe average annual effective dose of radiation workers in medical institutions in Shanghai is lower than the national standard limit, suggesting proper and adequate radiation protection system and measures in medical institutions.
3.An investigation of radiation dose to adult subjects in computed tomography scanning in Shanghai, China
Aijun QIAN ; Linfeng GAO ; Jie YAO ; Xuexin WEN ; Bin WANG ; Hong XIAO ; Zhou JIANG
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2022;31(5):587-591
Objective To investigate dose parameters in computed tomography (CT) scanning of common body parts inall public medical institutions in Shanghai, China, and analyze the dose distribution of CT scanning among adult subjects in Shanghai, and to provide a basis for establishing the diagnostic reference levels of CT scanning in Shanghai. Methods We selected at least one medical institution with CT services each from all 16 districts of Shanghai. In each medical institution, a piece of CT equipment with qualified annual inspection was sampled to investigate the doses to subjects in head, chest, abdomen, and lumbar spine scanning. We collected the basic information of the subjects, CT scanning parameters, volumetric CT dose index (CTDIvol), and dose length product (DLP). Results The scanning data of 1475 subjects were obtained. The 75th percentiles of the CTDIvol of the head, chest, abdomen, and lumbar spine were 57 mGy, 11 mGy, 16 mGy, and 23 mGy, respectively. The 75th percentiles of the DLP were 862 mGy·cm, 361 mGy·cm, 593 mGy·cm, and 550 mGy·cm, respectively. Conclusion CTDIvol and DLP differed significantly at different body parts, and also differed greatly at the same body parts. The DLP of men was slightly higher than that of women.
4.Intercomparison of institutions providing individual external exposure monitoring services in Shanghai from 2021 to 2023
Aijun QIAN ; Xuexin WEN ; Linfeng GAO ; Qiaochu YANGFAN ; Jie YAO ; Minpeng HUANG
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2024;41(10):1162-1166
Background The monitoring of external radiation individual doses for radiation workers is a statutory task and serves as an important basis for the diagnosis of occupational diseases in this occupational group. Ensuring the accuracy and reliability of monitoring data is crucial for safeguarding the health of radiation workers. Objective To evaluate and compare the capabilities and levels of external radiation individual dose monitoring conducted by radiation hygiene service institutions in Shanghai, to standardize relevant workflows, and to improve the accuracy and reliability of the monitoring service. Methods From 2021 to 2023, annual intercomparisons of external radiation individual dose monitoring capabilities were organized for radiation hygiene service institutions in Shanghai. The study subjects were 19 to 21 radiation hygiene service institutions registered in Shanghai for each year and they all participated in the intercomparisons. The monitoring subjects included 16 district-level centers for disease control and prevention (CDCs) and 13 third-party testing agencies. Monitoring capabilities were analyzed based on single-group performance, comprehensive performance, and Q-value. In the intercomparison, a thermoluminescent dosimetry system was used to perform irradiation tests on thermoluminescence dosimeter [made of lithium fluoride (magnesium, copper, phosphorus), LiF (Mg, Cu, P)], and monitoring data for X-rays and γ-rays at different doses and radiation conditions were analyzed following a standard procedure specified by GBZ 207−2016. Statistical methods included t-test and Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, with statistical significance set at P<0.05. Results From 2021 to 2023, the number of participating institutions was 19, 21, and 19, respectively, with an overall pass rate of 94.9% (56/59). Two institutions failed in 2022 and one in 2023. The number of institutions meeting the excellent standard in single-group and comprehensive performance was 9, 12, and 13, respectively, and the number of institutions ultimately rated as excellent was 3, 7, and 8,respectively, with an overall excellence rate of 30.5% (18/59) and an excellence conversion rate of 52.9%. The pass rates for single-group and comprehensive performance were both 98.3%. The number of groups with negative deviation was 1.86 times that of groups with positive deviation for X-rays, and 1.10 times for γ-rays. For X-rays, there was a statistically significant deviation between doses of less than 1.0 mSv and more than 1.0 mSv (P=0.01), while there was no significant difference in the single-group performance deviation between X-rays and γ-rays at the same dose. There was a statistically significant difference between the reported and reference values for X-rays in 2021 and 2022 (P<0.05), but no significant difference in 2023 (P>0.05); there was no significant difference between the reported and reference values for γ-rays over the three years (P>0.05). Conclusion Over the past three years, the external radiation individual dose monitoring capability intercomparison results of radiation hygiene service institutions in Shanghai have shown that the pass rate remains at a high level, with the excellence rate increasing year by year. However, some institutions still need to improve their monitoring capabilities, and further cooperation among institutions and training for technical staff are needed to enhance the capabilities and standardization of external radiation individual dose monitoring in Shanghai.
5.Diagnostic value of real-time shear wave elastography for liver fibrosis in patients with autoimmune hepatitis
Xuexin WANG ; Yingxia LI ; Libin JIANG ; Mingxia ZHOU ; Dapeng WEI ; Xiaopeng ZHANG ; Hongtao WEN
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2023;39(1):97-103
Objective To explore the diagnostic value of Young's modulus obtained by real-time shear wave elastography (SWE) for liver fibrosis in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) patients. Methods A total of 75 AIH patients in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2013 to April 2022 were retrospectively enrolled. Scheuer scoring system was used to evaluate degrees of liver fibrosis (S0-S4). By using pathological examination of liver tissues as the golden standard, the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was plotted and the area under the curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of SWE for the significant fibrosis (≥S2), advanced liver fibrosis (≥S3), and liver cirrhosis (S4), respectively. Independent sample t test was used for comparison of continuous data with normal distribution between the two groups. The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups and Bonferroni method was used for further comparison between two groups. The Spearman correlation coefficient was used for correlation analysis. The logistic regression analysis was used to predict the impact factors in diagnosis accuracy. Results The Young's modulus measured by SWE was statistically significant different among various fibrosis groups ( H =35.186, P < 0.001) although there was no statistical significance in patients' age and platelet, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, and glutamyl transpeptidase levels (all P > 0.05). The Young's modulus measurement was positively correlated with liver fibrosis ( r =0.675, P < 0.05). The AUCs of SWE in the diagnosis of≥S2, ≥S3, and S4 were 0.839, 0.820 and 0.898, respectively and the corresponding optimum cut-off values were 9.2, 10.9, and 14.4 kPa, respectively. The overall concordance rate of the liver Young' s modulus measurements vs . fibrosis stages was 57.33%. Moreover, the alkaline phosphatase level was an independent predictor for diagnostic accuracy of SWE for stage 0-1 fibrosis ( OR =1.009, 95% CI : 1.001-1.018, P =0.029). Conclusion The SWE possessed a diagnosis value for the significant fibrosis (≥S2), advanced liver fibrosis (≥S3) and liver cirrhosis (S4), although there was a low overall concordance rate in the liver Young's modulus measurements obtained using SWE vs. fibrosis stages.