Correction to: Automated IMRT planning in Pinnacle-A study in head-and-neck cancer.

Correction to: Strahlenther Onkol 2017 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00066-017-1187-9 Unfortunately, parts of the 'Materials and Methods section' and a sentence in the 'Discussion section' had to be corrected.On page 3, left column, the complete first paragraph was corrected and now reads as follows:Auto-P.

Automated IMRT planning in Pinnacle : A study in head-and-neck cancer.

PURPOSE: This study evaluates the performance and planning efficacy of the Auto-Planning (AP) module in the clinical version of Pinnacle 9.10 (Philips Radiation Oncology Systems, Fitchburg, WI, USA). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Twenty automated intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plans were compared with the original manually planned clinical IMRT plans from patients with oropharyngeal cancer. RESULTS: Auto-Planning with IMRT offers similar coverage of the planning target volume as the original manually planned clinical plans, as well as better sparing of the contralateral parotid gland, contralateral submandibular gland, larynx, mandible, and brainstem. The mean dose of the contralateral parotid gland and contralateral submandibular gland could be reduced by 2.5 Gy and 1.7 Gy on average. The number of monitor units was reduced with an average of 143.9 (18%). Hands-on planning time was reduced from 1.5-3 h to less than 1 h. CONCLUSIONS: The Auto-Planning module was able to produce clinically acceptable head and neck IMRT plans with consistent quality.

Role of Experience, Leadership and Individual Protection in the Cath Lab--A Multicenter Questionnaire and Workshop on Radiation Safety.

PURPOSE: Radiation exposure in invasive cardiology remains considerable. We evaluated the acceptance of radiation protective devices and the role of operator experience, team leadership, and technical equipment in radiation safety efforts in the clinical routine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cardiologists (115 from 27 centers) answered a questionnaire and documented radiation parameters for 10 coronary angiographies (CA), before and 3.1 months after a 90-min. mini-course in radiation-reducing techniques. RESULTS: Mini-course participants achieved significant median decreases in patient dose area products (DAP: from 26.6 to 13.0 Gy × cm(2)), number of radiographic frames (-29%) and runs (-8%), radiographic DAP/frame (-2%), fluoroscopic DAP/s (-39%), and fluoroscopy time (-16%). Multilevel analysis revealed lower DAPs with decreasing body mass index (-1.4 Gy × cm(2) per kg/m(2)), age (-1.2 Gy × cm(2)/decade), female sex (-5.9 Gy × cm(2)), participation of the team leader (-9.4 Gy × cm(2)), the mini-course itself (-16.1 Gy × cm(2)), experience (-0.7 Gy × cm(2)/1000 CAs throughout the interventionalist's professional life), and use of older catheterization systems (-6.6 Gy × cm(2)). Lead protection included apron (100%), glass sheet (95%), lengthwise (94%) and crosswise (69%) undercouch sheet, collar (89%), glasses (28%), cover around the patients' thighs (19%), foot switch shield (7%), gloves (3%), and cap (1%). CONCLUSION: Radiation-protection devices are employed less than optimally in the clinical routine. Cardiologists with a great variety of interventional experience profited from our radiation safety workshop - to an even greater extent if the interventional team leader also participated. KEY POINTS: Radiation protection devices are employed less than optimally in invasive cardiology. The presented radiation-safety mini-course was highly efficient. Cardiologists at all levels of experience profited from the mini-course - considerably more so if the team leader also took part. Interventional experience was less relevant for radiation reduction. Consequently both fellows and trainers should be encouraged to practice autonomy in radiation safety.

ECG-gated coronary angiography enables submillisievert imaging in invasive cardiology.

BACKGROUND: The median dose area products (DAP) and effective doses (ED) of patients arising from coronary angiography (CA) are considerable: According the 2013 National German Registry, they amount to 19.8 Gy × cm(2) and 4.0 mSv, respectively. METHODS: We investigated the feasibility of prospective electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated coronary angiography (CA)-a novel technique in invasive cardiology-with respect to possible reduction in irradiation effects. Instead of universally fix-rated radiographic acquisition within 7.5-15 frames/s, one single frame/heartbeat was triggered toward the diastolic moment immediately before atrial contraction (77 % of ECG-RR interval) most likely to provide motion-free and hence optimized resolution of the coronary tree. For 200 patients (body mass index 27.8 kg/m(2), age 67.5 years, male 55 %, 68 bpm) undergoing ECG-gated CA, we measured various median (interquartile range) parameters for radiation exposure. RESULTS: The total DAP was 0.64 (0.46-1.00), radiographic fraction was 0.30 (0.19-0.43), and fluoroscopic fraction was 0.35 (0.21-0.57) Gy × cm(2). Radiographic imaging occurred within 21.7 s (17.1-26.3), with 25 frames (20-30) over the course of 7 runs (6-8). Fluoroscopy time was 119 s (94-141). Radiographic DAP was 12.6 mGy × cm(2)/frame and 13.8 mGy × cm(2)/s. Fluoroscopic DAP was 0.8 mGy × cm(2)/pulse and 3.1 mGy × cm(2)/s. Patient reference point air kerma was 17.0 mGy (11.1-28.1) and contrast volume was 70 ml (60-85). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, invasive ECG-gated coronary imaging is feasible in clinical routine and enables patient EDs of approx. 3 % of typical values in invasive cardiology: 0.13 mSv (0.09-0.20).

Latest-generation catheterization systems enable invasive submillisievert coronary angiography.

BACKGROUND: The radiation risk of patients undergoing invasive cardiology remains considerable and includes skin injuries and cancer. To date, submillisievert coronary angiography has not been considered feasible. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 2011, we compared results from 100 consecutive patients undergoing elective coronary angiography using the latest-generation flat-panel angiography system (FPS) with results from examinations by the same operator using 106 historic controls with a conventional image-intensifier system (IIS) that was new in 2002. RESULTS: The median patient exposure parameters were measured as follows: dose-area product (DAP) associated with radiographic cine acquisitions (DAP(R)) and fluoroscopy (DAP(F)) scenes, radiographic frames and runs, and cumulative exposure times for radiography and fluoroscopy. On the FPS as compared to the traditional IIS, radiographic detector entrance dose levels were reduced from 164 to 80 nGy/frame and pulse rates were lowered from 12.5/s to 7.5/s during radiography and from 25/s to 4/s during fluoroscopy. The cardiologist's performance patterns remained comparable over the years: fluoroscopy time was constant and radiography time even slightly increased. Overall patient DAP decreased from 7.0 to 2.4 Gy × cm(2); DAP(R), from 4.2 to 1.7 Gy × cm(2); and DAP(F), from 2.8 to 0.6 Gy × cm(2). Time-adjusted DAP(R)/s decreased from 436 to 130 mGy × cm(2) and DAP(F)/s, from 21.6 to 4.4 mGy × cm(2). Cumulative patient skin dose with the FPS amounted to 67 mGy, and the median (interquartile range) of effective dose was 0.5 (0.3 … 0.7) mSv. CONCLUSION: Consistent application of radiation-reducing techniques with the latest-generation flat-panel systems enables submillisievert coronary angiography in invasive cardiology.

[Cost-effectiveness of prevention: opportunities for public health policy in the Netherlands]. / Kosteneffectiviteit van preventie: kansen voor het Nederlandse volksgezondheidsbeleid.

OBJECTIVE: To gain insight into the cost-effectiveness of new preventive interventions. DESIGN: Systematic review and interviews. METHOD: Based on literature search, a search of the project database of ZonMw and interviews with experts, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment drew up a long list of preventive interventions that are potentially cost-effective but are not yet systematically carried out in the Netherlands. From this long list, 21 interventions were selected for each of which, at least 3 economic evaluations were available that indicate favourable cost-effectiveness (< Euro 20,000,--per QALY gained). RESULTS: The majority of the interventions concerned vaccination and screening programmes (7 and 5 respectively). Only a small minority concerned health promotion or health protection (1 respectively 3). There was strong evidence that 5 interventions were both cost-effective, and feasible. These were: screening for Chlamydia, screening for diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes, screening for neonatal group beta streptococcal infections through a combination strategy, prevention of recurrent myocardial infarction through heart habilitation, and prevention of head injuries by wearing of bicycle helmets by children. CONCLUSION: Before implementation of preventive interventions, it is necessary to investigate whether these interventions are also cost-effective in the Dutch context.

Ever heard of percutaneous transvenous selective coronary angiography? Unusual approach in a patient with patent ductus arteriosus.

Arterial access for coronary angiography is usually achieved by the use of direct arterial puncture or, less frequently, by arterial cutdown. We present the case of a 39-year-old woman in whom a patent ductus arteriosus was used to enter the arterial system for left ventriculography, aortography, and selective coronary angiography. To our knowledge, this is the 1st reported case of selective coronary angiography with use of a transvenous approach.