Download radiological sciences and imaging: services and

RADIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND IMAGING: SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES
The Radiological Sciences and Imaging (RSI) service provides important support to all
imaging departments in N. Ireland helping to ensure the quality, safety and effectiveness
of diagnostic imaging procedures. The RSI service works closely with the Radiation
Protection Service and both services are based in the same building on the Forster Green
Hospital site. This provides an exciting and stimulating environment for staff to work in.
Medical physics expert in diagnostic radiology
Advice is provided on the optimisation exam protocols and equipment performance to
ensure that the appropriate balance is achieved between patient dose and diagnostic
information. This aspect is particularly important with changing imaging technologies in
diagnostic radiology and the implementation of new techniques and protocols.
Assistance is provided to Radiology departments in establishment and review of
Diagnostic Reference Levels. The Service provides advice and assistance on radiology
equipment specification and selection.
Equipment Quality Assurance
Commissioning and routine performance measurements are provided for imaging
equipment in diagnostic radiology in accord with nationally recommended standards. The
equipment covered includes 28 CT scanners (all except two multi-slice scanners) and
PET-CT. The service provides physics services to the Breast Screening Programme in N.
Ireland which covers 16 mammography systems including full-field digital mammography.
The number of CR and DDR systems is growing rapidly providing new challenges for
quality assurance and optimisation.
Patient Dosimetry
Patient dosimetry continues to ensure that doses to patients in diagnostic radiology are
continuously audited and the potential for significant reductions is often identified. The
RSI are developing an innovative Web based patient dosimetry system to assist x-ray
departments within N. Ireland to collate and audit patient dose measurements
MRI AND IMAGING
Scientific support is provided for all 11 NHS MRI systems in N. Ireland. Commissioning,
routine Quality Assurance and site surveys are undertaken and the RSI Service provides
an MR safety advisor to Trusts. Support is provided in protocol and pulse sequence
optimisation. The implementation of advanced MR techniques such as MR spectroscopy
and functional MRI is supported. Research is developing in areas including oncology,
cardiology and brain imaging.
Hybrid, multi modality and digital imaging
The RSI service works closely with other Services within the Agency and is developing
support for the imaging work of other Services and R&D within the Agency. Digital
imaging is an increasing activity and links are being developed to support clinical
applications where advanced visualisation or image analysis is required.
A regional
PACS is due for implementation in N. Ireland bringing healthcare establishments wider
and more comprehensive access to digital images.
Research and Development
Research and Development is actively encouraged within the Service and external
funding has been obtained for a number of projects. At any one time there are several
projects being undertaken in a wide range of interesting topics, among which the following
is a selection of current projects:

X-ray image analysis of bone fracture healing

Assessment of the performance of digital imaging systems and computer
simulation in optimisation in Diagnostic Radiology

Patient dose and imaging system performance in 3D rotational angiography

Modelling of effect of dose reduction on CT image quality

Patient skin dose measurement in interventional neuroradiology and cardiology

Computer simulation of digital mammography systems

Monte Carlo modelling in diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine

Voxel-based morphometry in brain volume measurement

MR imaging for Gel dosimery in Radiotherapy