THE IMPACT OF X-RAY UNIT TYPE USED FOR ENDOSCOPIC RETROGRADE CHOLANGIOPANCREATOGRAPHY PROCEDURES ON PATIENT DOSES

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Radiology
• Interventional Endoscopy

Background:

• Interventional endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) involves significant patient radiation exposure.
• Variability in radiation doses suggests potential influence from procedural equipment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if different X-ray unit types affect patient radiation doses during ERCP procedures.
• To compare radiation dose metrics across various X-ray units used in ERCP.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study analyzed 471 ERCP procedures across 4 hospitals.
• Four distinct types of X-ray units were evaluated.
• Kerma-area product (KAP), fluoroscopy time (T), and radiograph count (F) were recorded for each procedure.

Main Results:

• Significant variations in KAP, T, and F were observed across all procedures and unit types.
• Mean KAP values ranged from 5.6 to 36.3 Gy cm², mean T from 3.8 to 11.5 min, and mean F from 1.7 to 7.4 radiographs.
• The angiography unit showed the highest mean KAP (36.3 Gy cm²) and T (11.5 min), while the C-arm unit had the lowest mean KAP (5.6 Gy cm²).

Conclusions:

• The type of X-ray unit used in ERCP significantly influences patient radiation dose.
• C-arm systems are associated with lower patient radiation doses compared to other investigated units, including angiography units.