title: [Radiation hygiene in medical X-ray imaging. Part 3: radiation exposure of patients and risk assessment].
abstract: The frequency of X-ray examinations in Germany and the resulting radiation exposure is amongst the highest in comparison with other European countries. To reduce medical radiation exposure and to safeguard radiation protection regulations, the X-ray ordinance stipulates a justification of each individual X-ray application. The justification principle means that the X-ray application should produce sufficient health benefit to offset the radiation risk. Such a benefit-risk assessment needs an adequate estimation of radiation risk. The aim of this paper is to explain the principles of benefit-risk assessment for different situations (e.g. healthcare and screening). The basics and concepts of radiation effects and radiation epidemiology as well as examples of risk estimation and benefit-risk assessments are given.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Medizinischen und Beruflichen Strahlenschutz, Fachbereich Strahlenschutz und Gesundheit, Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Deutschland. ENekolla@bfs.de
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Nekolla
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Griebel
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brix
mesh_terms: D001822:Body Burden; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011859:Radiography / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence