Diagnostic reference level

Last revised by Andrew Murphy ◉ on 16 Aug 2021

Citation, DOI & article data

Citation:

Vajuhudeen, Z., Murphy, A. Diagnostic reference level. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org. (accessed on 24 May 2022) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-80057

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-80057

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/80057

rID:

80057

Article created:

13 Jul 2020 by Dr Zemar Vajuhudeen

Revisions:

5 times by 3 users - see full revision history

System:

Section:

Imaging Technology

Tag:

Synonyms:

DRLs (diagnostic reference levels)
DRL (diagnostic reference level)
Diagnostic reference level (DRL)
Diagnostic reference levels

A diagnostic reference level (DRL) is a specified radiation dose for a given imaging study that is not expected to be exceeded.

If a radiation dose does exceed the diagnostic reference level for a particular study, this should prompt an investigation into radiographic technique or equipment performance.

Diagnostic reference level values vary based on local, regional and national data. They are typically set at the 75th percentile of a distribution of radiation doses.

Entrance skin dose (ESD) and dose area product (DAP) are typically used to measure diagnostic reference level values in radiography and fluoroscopy.

CT dose index and d ose length product are typically used to measure diagnostic reference level values in CT.