Physica medica : PM : an international journal devoted to the applications of physics to medicine and biology : official journal of the Italian Association of Biomedical Physics | 2021
A cloud-fog software architecture for dental CBCT dose monitoring using the DICOM structured report: Automated establishment of DRL.
Abstract
PURPOSE\nThe diagnostic reference level (DRL) has been established to optimize the diagnostic methods and reduce radiation dose during radiographic examinations. The aim of this study was to present a completely new solution based on Cloud-Fog software architecture for automatic establishment of the DRL values during dental cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) according to digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) structured reports.\n\n\nMETHODS AND MATERIALS\nA Cloud-Fog software architecture was used for automatic data handling. This architecture used the DICOM structured reports as a source for extracting the required information by fog devices in the imaging center. These devices transferred the derived information to the cloud server. The cloud server calculated the value of indication-based DRL in dental CBCT imaging based upon the parameters and adequate quantities of the absorbed dose. The feedback of DRL value was continuously announced to the imaging centers in 6 phases. In each phase, the level of the dose was optimized in imaging centers.\n\n\nRESULTS\nThe DRL value was established for 5-specific indications, including third molar teeth (511\xa0mGy.cm2), implant (719\xa0mGy.cm2), form and position anomalies of the tooth (408\xa0mGy.cm2), dentoalveolar pathologies (612\xa0mGy.cm2), and endodontics (632\xa0mGy.cm2). The determination of the DRL value in each phase revealed a downward trend until stabilization.\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nThe new solution presented in this study makes it possible to calculate and update the DRL value nationally and automatically among all centers. Also, the results showed that this approach is successful in establishing stabilized DRL values.