Minimizing radiation dose in management of stone disease: how to achieve 'ALARA'

Exposure to radiation is known to have adverse effects such as secondary malignancies. Patients with nephrolithiasis are exposed to radiation in the workup and treatment of their condition. Furthermore, exposure to radiation is often repeated due to the high recurrence rate of nephrolithiasis.

We discuss practices inside and outside of the operating room to strive to keep radiation exposure as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) for patients being treated for nephrolithiasis. These efforts include reduced dose computed tomography scans, fluoroless surgical techniques and new alternative technologies.

Maintaining radiation exposure ALARA for our patients is increasingly practical. The urologist must make every effort to adhere to ALARA principles to protect patients from the stochastic effects of radiation.