Related Experiment Videos
[Radiation exposure in digital micturition cystourethrography in children. How much exposure by fluoroscopy?]
E M Merkle1, A J Aschoff, J Vogel
1Abteilung Röntgendiagnostik Universität Ulm.
Objective:
Determination of the proportion of the dose-area product caused by fluoroscopy at voiding cystourethrography in children, using digital image intensifier technology.
Patients And Methods:
Using computer-assisted dosimetry, we determined the dose-area product and the respective proportions of the dose-area product caused by fluoroscopy and radiography as well as the number of radiographs taken at a given examination of 40 children (8 children less than 2 years old, 15 children between 2 and 6 years old and 17 children between 6 and 15 years old).
Results:
The computer software program correctly differentiated between fluoroscopy and radiography in 80% of cases. Incorrect results were primarily observed in newborns and young children. The total radiation dose ranged in relation to patient age from 22 to 651 cGy x cm2. Fluoroscopy was responsible for an average 78% of the applied radiation dose.
Conclusion:
Computer-assisted dosimetry is useful in determining the proportion of the dose-area product caused by fluoroscopy in older children undergoing voiding cystourethrography. When image intensifier technology is used, this accounts for more than 75% of the total radiation dose. The method is not suitable for use in small children.