The SINFONIA course on personalised dosimetry and radiation risk estimation took place from August 19–21, 2024, at Ghent University in Belgium. This was an important event for professionals involved in medical dosimetry and radiation protection. This three-day intensive training was hosted by Ghent University and organised under the auspices of the SINFONIA project.
The course was held in the state-of-the-art Multimedia Room at Ghent University’s Campus Sterre, offering an ideal environment for learning and collaboration. About 30 participants had the unique opportunity to engage with leading experts in the field and to gain hands-on experience with the latest methodologies in radiation dosimetry and risk assessment.
The course began on August 19 with a welcome and introduction to the SINFONIA project, led by professors J. Damilakis from the University of Crete and K. Bacher from Ghent University. The first session, presented by Y. Salimi from Geneva University, covered the latest advancements in automatic segmentation methodologies, a crucial tool for improving the accuracy of radiation dosimetry. This was followed by a comprehensive lecture on patient-specific dosimetry methods for CT and CBCT, delivered by Prof. J. Damilakis. The afternoon concluded with a hands-on session, allowing participants to apply the concepts and techniques discussed.
During the second day of the course, K. Bacher of Ghent University and Z. Mansouri of Geneva University began with sessions on patient-specific dosimetry in nuclear medicine, highlighting both current practices and the challenges that lie ahead. Following these sessions, M. Romero-Expósito from Stockholm University addressed out-of-field dosimetry in both photon and proton beam therapies, providing a comprehensive understanding of these advanced techniques. The morning concluded with another hands-on session, offering further practical experience. The afternoon sessions focused on cumulative doses in radiotherapy treatment, specifically for brain cancer and lymphoma patients. J. Rutten from Ghent University led this discussion, followed by a radiobiologic update from A. Baeyens, also from Ghent University, who presented the latest findings from the SINFONIA project.
The final day of the course focused on patient-specific radiation risk estimation, a critical component in the safe management of radiation therapy. C. Hoeschen from OvGU Magdeburg led this session, providing insights into the latest techniques and approaches. To reinforce the knowledge gained throughout the event, the course concluded with a final hands-on session, followed by closing remarks from J. Damilakis and K. Bacher.
Overall, the SINFONIA course in Ghent represented a unique opportunity for professionals in the field of medical radiation dosimetry and medical radiation protection to enhance their skills and knowledge in a highly specialised area. By bringing together leading experts and offering a blend of theoretical and practical sessions, this course was set to make a significant contribution to the field and the future of personalised dosimetry and radiation risk management.
