Patient dose measurements in radiological practices

Internationally agreed standards for radiation measurements applied to medicine underpin the application of scientific methods to both therapeutic and diagnostic radiological practices. Equally it is recommended that these standards should underpin radiation measurements within the fields of nuclear energy and industrial applications of ionizing radiations. Such measurements should also apply to all exposed groups: patients, workers and members of the general public. It would appear that the underlying philosophy as well as measurement methods, including units, employed in the therapeutic and diagnostic domains have developed separately and independently over the past 30 years. Similarly, although radiological imaging methods are fundamental to both domains, a similar situation appears to apply to the assessment of image quality. This letter attempts to highlight the present situation regarding the role and relevance of dosimetric methods applied in both therapeutic and diagnostic radiological practices. In particular the present situation is discussed in relation to the primary objectives of the International Commission on Radiological Units and Measurements (ICRU). Scope for harmonization and unification of scientific methods applied in therapy and diagnosis is highlighted. (letter to the editor)