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Medical imaging news July 2026

Quality control, quality assurance, radiation protection, and evolving practices: ten recent developments demand the operational attention of medical imaging and radiotherapy teams. We present their concrete implications for your protocols, your organization, and patient safety.

Reading time: 12 minutes
Professionals gathered around quality control equipment in medical imaging
01Reference frameworks

Three ANSM guides update the interpretation of controls

Professional consulting a quality control guide in front of an imaging installation

ANSM publishes new versions of its application guides for nuclear medicine, dental radiology and radiodiagnosis, including radio-guided interventional procedures.*

These documents provide an immediate basis for verification by medical physicists, biomedical engineers, operators, and regulatory bodies. They do not replace applicable decisions but clarify their operational implementation.

To undertake: compare internal procedures, report templates and acceptability criteria with the now published versions, then trace any necessary documentary adjustments.

02National overview

Quality control has a new consolidated balance sheet

Quality control and non-conformity monitoring dashboard

The activity report published by the ANSM compiles data reported by external quality control bodies and outlines the framework for reporting non-conformities.*

The document lists nine current control decisions, eleven accredited bodies, and 43,836 periodic inspections or follow-up visits during the period analyzed.reiterates that a serious non-conformity requires the cessation of use until compliance is restored.

To undertake: use this assessment as a point of comparison for your own indicators, including the recurrence of discrepancies, correction times and the quality of their traceability.

03Dental radiology

A public consultation opens the revision of the system

Dental radiology unit prepared for quality control

The ANSM is submitting its draft revision of the decision relating to the quality control of dental radiology facilities to public consultation.*

The consultation remains open until the end of September. It allows operators, control bodies, manufacturers and professional representatives to examine the proposed requirements before their adoption.

To undertake: identify the potential impacts on the park, the frequency of assessments, the monitoring methods, and the necessary resources. A reasoned contribution can be useful when site constraints are not sufficiently addressed.

04Radiotherapy

The control of external installations is undergoing review

Medical physicist taking measurements on a radiotherapy accelerator

An ANSM working group is dedicated to quality control of external beam radiotherapy and radiosurgery facilities.*

This phase of work must be carried out without waiting for the publication of a final text. Technological developments, workflow automation, and the diversification of techniques make regular analysis of the relevance of tests and tolerances essential.

To undertake: map current controls, their evidence, responsibilities and software dependencies in order to anticipate a future evolution of the repository.

05Expertise

Scientific governance is expanding to include intervention

Committee of experts in medical physics and imaging convened to discuss technical documents

The ANSM appoints new members to the permanent scientific committee, in the training dedicated to facilities used for radio-guided interventional procedures.*

The presence of expertise in medical physics and imaging confirms the cross-disciplinary nature of the decisions to come. Device performance requirements, dose control, and quality assurance must be examined within a single system.

To be undertaken: strengthen exchanges between radiologists, operators, medical physicists, biomedical engineers, radiation protection and quality during reviews of interventional processes.

06Compliance

A formal notice reiterates the quality assurance requirement

Team analyzing the conformity of a radio-guided interventional procedure

The ASNR formally orders an establishment to comply with the provisions applicable to quality assurance in medical imaging for radio-guided interventional practices.*

This individual decision carries a collective lesson: having procedures is not enough. Their application, their updating, the traceability of checks and the demonstration of continuous improvement must be objectively verifiable.

To undertake: conduct a targeted audit of the quality assurance system, from the justification of the action to the analysis of events and the monitoring of corrective actions.

07Feedback

A targeting error highlights the fragility of the interfaces

Double check of a spinal radiotherapy treatment plan

The ASNR publishes an opinion relating to irradiation carried out on a vertebra different from the prescribed target.*

The center performed a dosimetric assessment of both vertebrae, and the patient was informed. Beyond this individual case, this event highlights the risks of discrepancies between prescription, anatomical landmarks, contouring, planning, and execution.

To undertake: test the safety barriers at the transfer stages and during changes of reference, with a truly discriminating independent verification.

08Radiation protection

Lutetium-177 requires rigorous handling techniques

Safe handling of a radiopharmaceutical in nuclear medicine

ASNR reports external contamination of a worker during the handling of a radiopharmaceutical drug labeled with lutetium-177 used in targeted internal radiotherapy.*

The development of radiotherapy increases the frequency of complex procedures involving preparation, administration, waste management, and contamination control. Clinical performance must remain inseparable from the radiation protection of the teams.

Action to be taken: reassess operating procedures, protective equipment, detection methods, reaction exercises and conditions for returning to work after an event.

09Organization

Targeted internal radiotherapy structures its network

Multidisciplinary team exchanging information on a targeted internal radiotherapy pathway

The AP-HP is organizing its first day dedicated to the challenges, practices and perspectives of targeted internal radiotherapy.*

This initiative reflects a need for coordination between nuclear medicine, oncology, pharmacy, medical physics, radiation protection, and hospital logistics. The RIV (Rapid Intervention Vehicle) is not simply about acquiring equipment; it transforms the patient journey and responsibilities.

To undertake: formalize program governance, capacities, controls, risk management and quality indicators before any ramp-up.

10Assessment

Intraoperative radiotherapy is the subject of a new analysis

Team preparing an intraoperative radiotherapy device in the operating room

The HAS publishes an evaluation of intraoperative X-ray photon radiotherapy as an adjuvant to lumpectomy, constructed with data analysis and consultation with numerous stakeholders.*

The report incorporates the positions of the INCa (National Cancer Institute), the ASNR (National Agency for Radiological Protection), radiology, radiation protection, and medical physics. It emphasizes that any technology integrated into the operating room must be evaluated in all its dimensions: clinical benefit, patient selection, organization, radiation protection, and quality assurance.

To undertake: compare local protocols, indication criteria and technical controls with the conclusions of the evaluation before any change in practice.

Transforming monitoring into an action plan

These developments all point to the same requirement: maintaining a dynamic, documented, and shared quality control system across all departments. Our teams are here to support you in analyzing your protocols, securing your equipment, and assisting with your medical imaging and radiotherapy projects.

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