Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026
06:51
Dosimetry for Cell Irradiation using Orthovoltage (40-300 kV) X-Ray Facilities
Published on: February 20, 2021
Current utilization and radiation dose from computed tomography in patients with trauma
Kristin Salottolo1, Raphael Bar-Or, Matthew Fleishman
1Department of Trauma Research, Swedish Medical Center, Englewood, CO, USA.
Critical Care Medicine
|February 27, 2009
Summary
Trauma patients receive increasing numbers of computed tomography (CT) scans, leading to higher cumulative radiation doses. Hospitals should monitor radiation exposure risks by tracking CT scan counts per patient.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Trauma Care
- Medical Physics
Background:
- Computed tomography (CT) scans are crucial for diagnosing traumatic injuries.
- Radiation exposure from repeated CT scans in trauma patients can lead to adverse effects.
- Quantifying cumulative radiation dose is essential for risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the cumulative effective radiation dose in hospitalized trauma patients.
- To compare CT utilization in trauma patients between two distinct time periods.
- To identify patients receiving high radiation doses.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of radiologic and medical data.
- Inclusion of adult trauma patients with moderate to severe injuries (ISS >8) and ICU stay >1 day.
- Comparison of CT utilization between 2003 and 2007.
Main Results:
- Mean CT examinations per patient increased significantly from 3.44 in 2003 to 4.41 in 2007.
- The mean cumulative effective radiation dose per patient was 11.13 mSv in 2007.
- Nine percent of trauma patients received cumulative radiation doses of 100 mSv or higher.
Conclusions:
- Trauma patients face elevated risks from CT studies due to increasing scan frequency and cumulative radiation doses.
- Hospitals should prospectively monitor radiation risk by tracking CT examination counts.
- Proactive radiation dose management is necessary for trauma patient care.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:10Computed Tomography
Tomography refers to imaging by sections. Computed tomography (CT) is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses computers to analyze several cross-sectional X-rays to reveal minute details about structures in the body.
The technique was invented in the 1970s and is based on the principle that as X-rays pass through the body, they are absorbed or reflected at different levels. In the technique, a patient lies on a motorized platform while a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scanner rotates...
The technique was invented in the 1970s and is based on the principle that as X-rays pass through the body, they are absorbed or reflected at different levels. In the technique, a patient lies on a motorized platform while a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scanner rotates...
01:27Imaging Studies III: Computed Tomography
DefinitionComputed Tomography (CT) of the genitourinary (GU) tract is a non-invasive imaging modality that utilizes X-rays and computer processing to generate detailed cross-sectional images of the urinary system, encompassing the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and adjacent structures such as the adrenal glands.PurposeCT scans of the GU tract serve several diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, including:Diagnosis of Urinary Tract Diseases: Detects kidney stones, tumors, cysts, and congenital...
01:30Radiological Investigation I: X-ray and CT
Radiological investigations, including X-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans, are critical for diagnosing and evaluating various medical conditions. These imaging techniques provide valuable insights into the body's internal structures, aiding in the detection of abnormalities, assessment of disease progression, and development of treatment strategies. This article delves into two primary radiological investigations, chest X-rays and CT scans, outlining their purpose, procedures, and the...
01:14Imaging Studies I: CT and MRI
Introduction: MRI and CT scans are crucial advancements in medical imaging techniques, playing a vital role in diagnosing conditions related to the gastrointestinal (GI) system. Each scan serves distinct purposes, targets specific areas, and requires unique nursing duties.
Description of the Procedures
Computed Tomography (CT) scan:
Computed Tomography (CT) scans use X-ray technology to generate detailed images of bones, organs, and tissues. During the scan, the patient lies on a moving table...
Description of the Procedures
Computed Tomography (CT) scan:
Computed Tomography (CT) scans use X-ray technology to generate detailed images of bones, organs, and tissues. During the scan, the patient lies on a moving table...
02:59Biological Effects of Radiation
All radioactive nuclides emit high-energy particles or electromagnetic waves. When this radiation encounters living cells, it can cause heating, break chemical bonds, or ionize molecules. The most serious biological damage results when these radioactive emissions fragment or ionize molecules. For example, α and β particles emitted from nuclear decay reactions possess much higher energies than ordinary chemical bond energies. When these particles strike and penetrate matter, they produce ions...
01:24X-ray Imaging
German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen (1845–1923) was experimenting with electrical current when he discovered that a mysterious and invisible "ray" would pass through his flesh but leave an outline of his bones on a screen coated with a metal compound. In 1895, Röntgen made the first durable record of the internal parts of a living human: an "X-ray" image (as it came to be called) of his wife’s hand. Scientists worldwide quickly began their own experiments with X-rays, and by 1900, X-ray was widely...