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Trends in the use of pelvimetry techniques
S M Thomas1, N R Bees, E J Adam
1Department of Radiology, St George's Hospital, London, UK.
Clinical Radiology
|May 19, 1998
Summary
Hospitals are shifting towards lower radiation dose pelvimetry techniques, with computed tomography (CT) becoming more common. However, many institutions still need to fully adopt policies to reduce radiation exposure during maternal pelvic dimension assessments.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Radiology
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Maternal pelvic dimension assessment is crucial for vaginal delivery in breech presentations or suspected pelvic abnormalities.
- Conventional pelvimetry techniques (CT, radiography, fluorography) expose mother and fetus to radiation, with dose variations up to 40-fold.
- Computed tomography (CT) pelvimetry with a lateral scanogram and low-dose radiography are preferred for minimizing radiation exposure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the adoption trends of lower radiation dose pelvimetry techniques in hospitals between 1993 and 1996.
- To identify shifts in the utilization of conventional radiography, CT pelvimetry, and MRI for assessing maternal pelvic dimensions.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire survey was distributed to 227 hospitals in 1993 and 1996.
- Data collected focused on the types of pelvimetry techniques employed and adherence to low-dose protocols.
Main Results:
- A significant decrease in conventional pelvimetry use (48.4% to 28%) was observed.
- The utilization of one-view CT pelvimetry increased (69.3% to 80.4%), while MRI use remained low (4%).
- Adoption of low-dose radiography techniques remained limited, and some centers still performed multiple CT views, increasing radiation dose.
Conclusions:
- There was a discernible trend towards adopting lower radiation dose pelvimetry methods.
- Many hospitals had not yet fully implemented radiation reduction policies for pelvimetry procedures.