The National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) recently released a report which stated that more than half of the American population's exposure to radiation now results from medical imaging scans. Interventional radiology exams, according the NCRP report, are the third largest dose contributor in medicine following CT and nuclear medicine procedures. This extension of the Image Gently campaign is an effort to help ensure that medical techniques for the performance of interventional procedures keep pace with advancing technology and the increasing use of these techniques.

"The Image Gently campaign is a sterling example of the respect and care that radiologists and other providers have for our patients. Medical imaging professionals are constantly striving to refine protocols and treatment mechanism in order to better serve those who depend on us. These new materials from Image Gently will not only make physicians better care providers, but help them to fully explain the concerns and benefits inherent to the cutting-edge treatments," said James H. Thrall, M.D., FACR, chair of the American College of Radiology Board of Chancellors.


The Image Gently campaign is conducted by the Alliance for Radiation Safety in Pediatric Imaging, founded by the Society for Pediatric Radiology (SPR), the American College of Radiology (ACR), the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT), and the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), and now encompasses 44 medical organizations serving more than 500,000 health care providers world-wide.

"Our goal is to ensure that every facility uses appropriate dose reduction techniques when performing imaging and interventional procedures in children," said Diane Mayo, R.T.(R), president of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists. "The technique must always be matched to the size and needs of the child."

The Image Gently site (www.imagegently.org) also contains the latest research and educational materials to aid radiologists, radiologic technologists, medical physicists, and other imaging stakeholders in determining the appropriate techniques to be used in the imaging of children and how the radiation received from these exams may affect pediatric patients over time.

"'Pediatric patient care is greatly improved during interventional fluoroscopy by collaboration and teamwork of professionals across multiple disciplines. The information provided on the Image Gently Web site provides a basis for interaction between the radiologists, the radiologic technologists, qualified medical physicists and other members of the IR team to improve image quality at reduced radiation doses to the patient," said Maryellen L. Giger, Ph.D., FAAPM, FAIMBE, President of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

Health care providers are urged to visit the Image Gently Web site (www.imagegently.org) and pledge to do their part to "child-size" the radiation dose used in children's imaging.

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