scope:

ABSTRACT

This report presents specifications of x-ray beams and quantities, and units for dose measurement and calculation in medical x-ray imaging, including application-specific quantities, and new symbols. It addresses measurement methods for normalization quantities and for quantities recommended for the establishment and use of diagnostic reference levels. It presents methods for determining organ and tissue doses as well as doses in localized regions of organs and tissues, including detailed information on dose-conversion coefficients for x-ray imaging fields. This is the first ICRU report dealing with methods for patient dosimetry of x rays used in medical imaging. Whereas some of the dosimetric concepts and techniques used in radiotherapy have been successfully employed for medical imaging using x rays, additional dosimetric quantities and measurement methods are required for patient dosimetry associated with procedures such as radiography, fluoroscopy, CT, and mammography.