Effective dose at pneumatic reduction of paediatric intussusception

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Paediatric Imaging
• Interventional Radiology

Background:

• Intussusception is a common surgical emergency in children.
• Pneumatic reduction is a primary treatment modality.
• Assessing fluoroscopy time and radiation dose is crucial for patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate screening times during pneumatic reduction for paediatric intussusception.
• To determine the radiation dose implications (Dose-Area Product and Effective Dose).
• To correlate screening time and radiation dose with procedural success and outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 153 pneumatic reductions in 143 children over 4 years.
• Recorded success rates, screening times, and Dose-Area Products (DAP).
• Converted DAP to Effective Dose (ED) for 77 procedures.

Main Results:

• Achieved a 76.5% success rate with a low recurrence (6.5%) and complication rate (1 perforation).
• Screening times varied widely (15 s to 22.6 min).
• A screening time of 21 min resulted in a DAP of 1278 cGy cm(2) and ED of 12.73 mSv, equivalent to ~400 abdominal films for a 1-year-old.

Conclusions:

• The success rate is comparable to other centers.
• Longer screening times may be associated with complex cases referred to a tertiary center.
• Balancing the benefits of prolonged pneumatic reduction attempts against radiation risks and surgical alternatives is essential.