Evaluation of the efficacy of pelvic shielding in preadolescent girls

A standing anteroposterior pelvic radiograph with gonadal shielding is used as a screening tool for all patients evaluated for intoeing at our institution. Sixty-two normal consecutive screening pelvic radiographs obtained in 61 female patients between the ages of 4 and 6 years were evaluated. Radiographs were evaluated for the adequacy to assess the hips as well as the protection afforded the ovaries from radiation exposure. Radiographs were judged to be inadequate because the shield covered essential landmarks in at least one hip in eight radiographs (13%). Five radiographs (8%) covered >50% of the area of both ovaries, and only one radiograph covered >75% of the area of both ovaries. Standard techniques of positioning gonadal shields in preadolescent girls are inadequate and provide minimal protection with a high rate of interference with vital landmarks. We no longer advocate using gonadal shields on initial screening radiographs of preadolescent girls.