Performance testing of dosimeters used in interventional radiology: Results from the VERIDIC project

Interventional procedures in radiology and cardiology are associated with high dose to the patient. Accurate dosimetry is essential and calibration of the equipment is a means to provide the necessary accuracy of dose assessment. The objective of this work is to investigate the performance of dosimeters used in interventional procedures in different standard and non-standard X-ray radiation qualities, and to investigate potential uncertainties related to dose measurements, thus improving accuracy of patient dosimetry in interventional procedures. Four new reference radiation qualities dedicated to interventional cardiology applications have been established, allowing calibration of dosimeters used in clinical conditions with appropriate traceability to primary standards. Testing of solid-state semiconductor detectors and thermoluminescent dosimeter properties, e.g. influence of photon energy, angle of incidence and dose rate, was performed in the standard and non-standard radiation qualities. Both dosimeter types showed good performance in the non-standard beams during all performance tests. Solid-state dosimeters displayed weak dependence on energy, angle of incidence and dose rate, in the range defined by the manufacturer and requirements of the international standard. Thermoluminescent dosimeters displayed excellent linearity and angular dependence. The influence of energy dependence on measurement uncertainty can be reduced if appropriate radiation quality is selected for calibration