Andrea Pola1, Daniela Corbella2, Andrea Righini3, Alberto Torresin4, Paola E Colombo4, Luigi Vismara5, Luca Trombetta4, Michele Maddalo4, Maria Vittoria Introini6, Daniela Tinelli4, Laura Strohmenger7, Giovanna Garattini7, Angelica Munari7, Fabio Triulzi8. 1. Department of Energy, Politecnico di Milano, via La Masa 34, 20156, Milan, Italy. andrea.pola@polimi.it. 2. ASL Milano2 Melegnano, ATS Milano Città Metropolitana, Milan, Italy. 3. Department of Pediatric Radiology and Neuroradiology, V. Buzzi Children's Hospital, Milan, Italy. 4. Department of Medical Physics, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy. 5. ASST Nord Milano, Sesto San Giovanni, Milan, Italy. 6. Department of Energy, Politecnico di Milano, via La Masa 34, 20156, Milan, Italy. 7. Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano and Santi Paolo e Carlo Hospital, Milan, Italy. 8. Department of Neuroradiology, IRCCS Cà Granda Foundation, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To analyse CT use in recent years in a high-density Italian area (±10 million inhabitants, including 1 million children), focusing on developing age. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of records from HealthCare IT System, covering >400 hospitals and clinics. Description of CT use between 2004-2014 in emergency and outpatient care and assessment of radiation exposure trend. RESULTS: Over 9 million scans were performed. Emergency procedures showed a global increase of 230 %, mainly head examinations. In the global outpatient setting, the annual number of CT scans/person increased ±19 %. A moderate increase in CT examinations was observed in the developing age population, while a remarkable increase in dental, chest and abdominal procedures occurred for the 10- to 30-year age range. The increase in mean annual dose/capita in the global patient pool was approximately 42 %, increasing from 0.72-1.03 mSv. The population rate receiving an annual CT radiation dose/capita higher than 1 mSv tripled in the 11-year interval, increasing from 16-48 %. CONCLUSIONS: The remarkable increase in radiation exposure raises a special concern for teenagers and young adults, whose risk tends to be underestimated. The fivefold increase in dental CTs in the younger age groups requires further investigations. KEY POINTS: • Literature highlights a remarkable increase in CT use over the last decades. • The paediatric age had higher exposure to X-ray risk. • A detailed retrospective analysis of more than 9 million scans was performed. • Dental, chest, abdominal procedures increased remarkably in 10- to 30-year age range. • This study raises concern about exposure for teenagers and young adults.
OBJECTIVES: To analyse CT use in recent years in a high-density Italian area (±10 million inhabitants, including 1 million children), focusing on developing age. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of records from HealthCare IT System, covering >400 hospitals and clinics. Description of CT use between 2004-2014 in emergency and outpatient care and assessment of radiation exposure trend. RESULTS: Over 9 million scans were performed. Emergency procedures showed a global increase of 230 %, mainly head examinations. In the global outpatient setting, the annual number of CT scans/person increased ±19 %. A moderate increase in CT examinations was observed in the developing age population, while a remarkable increase in dental, chest and abdominal procedures occurred for the 10- to 30-year age range. The increase in mean annual dose/capita in the global patient pool was approximately 42 %, increasing from 0.72-1.03 mSv. The population rate receiving an annual CT radiation dose/capita higher than 1 mSv tripled in the 11-year interval, increasing from 16-48 %. CONCLUSIONS: The remarkable increase in radiation exposure raises a special concern for teenagers and young adults, whose risk tends to be underestimated. The fivefold increase in dental CTs in the younger age groups requires further investigations. KEY POINTS: • Literature highlights a remarkable increase in CT use over the last decades. • The paediatric age had higher exposure to X-ray risk. • A detailed retrospective analysis of more than 9 million scans was performed. • Dental, chest, abdominal procedures increased remarkably in 10- to 30-year age range. • This study raises concern about exposure for teenagers and young adults.
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