For a period of three years, a European research project led by the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority of Finland has been developing the traceability and reliability of radiation measurements used in medical X-ray imaging. Improved patient safety will be the concrete outcome of the work.

X-ray imaging is the most commonly used medical diagnostic method and the largest source of artificial ionizing radiation in Europe. There are usually good justifications for X-ray imaging. Even so, unnecessary radiation doses must be avoided, i.e. it is important to optimise the radiation dose received by the patient.

However, optimisation has become difficult, as imaging increasingly uses so-called X‑ray multimeters (XMM) and measure quantities whose comprehensive and clinically-appropriate calibration has not been possible.

Principal Advisor Paula Toroi from the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) states that this has prevented comparable and reliable radiation measurements. These measurements are needed so that imaging devices can be adjusted to produce a diagnostically good image with the lowest possible radiation dose.

An international research project coordinated by Paula Toroi, which began in 2023, has aimed at improving the situation. According to Paula Toroi, thanks to this TraMeXI research project, the situation has improved significantly.

The TraMeXI project (Traceability in medical X-ray imaging dosimetry) is funded by the European Union and will end now in May. Project participants have included 11 metrology departments and three hospitals from 11 countries.

Improved patient safety with more accurate radiation measurements

During the project, STUK has developed new and broadened the calibration services for measuring instruments and measuring quantities used in x-ray imaging so that they meet the current clinical requirements. The results will improve the accuracy and reliability of radiation measurements, which in turn will support both hospital quality assurance and patient dose assessment. In this way, they will concretely improve patient and radiation safety in Finland.

Paula Toroi also emphasises that the TraMeXI project has strengthened STUK’s expertise and further established its international status as a developer of medical radiation measurements and its position as a national measurement standard laboratory. The results of the research project have been published and will be published on the project’s website and in peer-reviewed scientific publications. These will directly support STUK’s official duties and the safe and uniform implementation of the use of radiation in health care.

Link to Tramexi-homepage

20 May is World Metrology Day, commemorating the anniversary of the signing of the Metre Convention in Paris, in 1875. This treaty provides the basis for a worldwide coherent measurement system.