Program Information

Medical Physics 1.0 to 2.0, Session 2: Radiography, Mammography and Fluoroscopy

E Gingold

A Karellas

K Strauss

E Gingold¹*, A Karellas²*, K Strauss³*, (1) Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, (2) University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, (3) Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH

Presentations

WE-A-12A-1 Wednesday 7:30AM - 9:30AM Room: 12A

Medical Physics 2.0 is a bold vision for an existential transition of clinical imaging physics in face of the new realities of value-based and evidence-based medicine, comparative effectiveness, and meaningful use. It speaks to how clinical imaging physics can expand beyond traditional insular models of inspection and acceptance testing, oriented toward compliance, towards team-based models of operational engagement, prospective definition and assurance of effective use, and retrospective evaluation of clinical performance. Organized into four sessions of the AAPM, this particular session focuses on three specific modalities as outlined below.

Radiography 2.0:
The development of electronic capture in recent years has changed the landscape and spurred reinvestment by healthcare providers. The radiography presentation will explore how the diagnostic medical physicist must adapt to these changes to support radiographic imaging, and how she/he can add value in radiography practice over the next 5-10 years. Topics of discussion include new metrology of evaluation, new models of clinical engagement, and effective integration of new technologies.

Mammography 2.0:
Mammography has been an interesting testing ground on the effectiveness of close involvement of medical physicists with equipment in the past twenty years. The outcomes have clearly shown major improvements in image quality and significant reduction in the average glandular dose. However, the medical physicist’s role in mammography has been largely focused to annual surveys and with limited input on operational issues with image artifacts, optimal mammographic acquisition mode and problems with image quality. This mammography presentation will address why and how medical physicists must be prepared to address the new models of practice that include new metrics of performance and the integration of new technologies (DBT, syncretized mammograms, contrast mammography, breast CT) into clinical practice.

Fluoroscopy 2.0:
Physics support of fluoroscopy should be operationally as opposed to compliance focused. Testing protocols must address new hardware, acquisition methods, and image processing. Future available tools are discussed. Proper configuration of acquisition parameters (focal spot size, voltage and added filter, tube current, pulse width, pulse rate, scatter removal) as a function of patient size from the neonate to bariatric patient is key to providing diagnostic image quality at properly managed radiation doses.

Learning Objectives:
1. Appreciate the limitations of the currently available tools and techniques in clinical medical physics in radiography, mammography, and fluoroscopy, and ways to improve upon current deficiencies.
2. Appreciate the changing environment of imaging practice and the need for the medical physicist to be an expert consultant and educator in a capacity that extends beyond the annual survey of equipment.
3. Understand the status of the rapidly changing environment in breast imaging from planar imaging to tomosynthesis and possibly to breast CT.
4. Identify appropriate configuration of acquisition parameters as a function of patient size to manage radiation dose and ensure diagnostic image quality.

Handouts

• 90-25388-334462-102947.pdf (E Gingold)

• 90-25390-334462-103024.pdf (A Karellas)

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