David T Tzou1,2, Samuel Zetumer1, Manint Usawachintachit1,3, Kazumi Taguchi1,4, Seth K Bechis5, Brian D Duty6, Jonathan D Harper7, Ryan S Hsi8, Mathew Sorensen7, Roger L Sur5, Shalonda Reliford-Titus1, Helena C Chang7, Dylan Isaacson1, David B Bayne1, Zhen J Wang9, Marshall L Stoller1, Thomas Chi1. 1. 1 Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California. 2. 2 Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona. 3. 3 Division of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Chulalongkorn University, The Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand. 4. 4 Department of Nephro-urology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan. 5. 5 Department of Urology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California. 6. 6 Department of Urology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon. 7. 7 Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington. 8. 8 Department of Urology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee. 9. 9 Department of Radiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
Abstract
Purpose: Kidney stone patients routinely have CT scans during diagnostic work-up before being referred to a tertiary center. How often these patients exceed the recommended dose limits for occupational radiation exposure of >100 mSv for 5 years and >50 mSv in a single year from CT alone remains unknown. This study aimed to quantify radiation doses from CTs received by stone patients before their evaluation at a tertiary care stone clinic. Methods: From November 2015 to March 2017, consecutive new patients enrolled into the Registry for Stones of the Kidney and Ureter (ReSKU™) had the dose-length product of every available CT abdomen/pelvis within 5 years of their initial visit recorded, allowing for an effective dose (EDose) calculation. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified factors associated with exceeding recommended dose limits. Models were created to test radiation reducing effects of low-dose and phase-reduction CT protocols. Results: Of 343 noncontrast CTs performed, only 29 (8%) were low-dose CTs (calculated EDose <4 mSv). Among 389 total patients, 101 (26%) and 25 (6%) had an EDose >20 mSv and >50 mSv/year, respectively. Increased body mass index, number of scans, and multiphase scans were associated with exceeding exposure thresholds (p < 0.01). The implementation of a low-dose CT protocol decreased the estimated number of scans contributing to overexposure by >50%. Conclusions: Stone patients referred to a tertiary stone center may receive excessive radiation from CT scans alone. Unnecessary phases and underutilization of low-dose CT protocols continue to take place. Enacting new approaches to CT protocols may spare stone patients from exceeding recommended dose limits.
Purpose: Kidney stonepatients routinely have CT scans during diagnostic work-up before being referred to a tertiary center. How often these patients exceed the recommended dose limits for occupational radiation exposure of >100 mSv for 5 years and >50 mSv in a single year from CT alone remains unknown. This study aimed to quantify radiation doses from CTs received by stone patients before their evaluation at a tertiary care stone clinic. Methods: From November 2015 to March 2017, consecutive new patients enrolled into the Registry for Stones of the Kidney and Ureter (ReSKU™) had the dose-length product of every available CT abdomen/pelvis within 5 years of their initial visit recorded, allowing for an effective dose (EDose) calculation. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified factors associated with exceeding recommended dose limits. Models were created to test radiation reducing effects of low-dose and phase-reduction CT protocols. Results: Of 343 noncontrast CTs performed, only 29 (8%) were low-dose CTs (calculated EDose <4 mSv). Among 389 total patients, 101 (26%) and 25 (6%) had an EDose >20 mSv and >50 mSv/year, respectively. Increased body mass index, number of scans, and multiphase scans were associated with exceeding exposure thresholds (p < 0.01). The implementation of a low-dose CT protocol decreased the estimated number of scans contributing to overexposure by >50%. Conclusions: Stone patients referred to a tertiary stone center may receive excessive radiation from CT scans alone. Unnecessary phases and underutilization of low-dose CT protocols continue to take place. Enacting new approaches to CT protocols may spare stone patients from exceeding recommended dose limits.
Authors: Pierre-Alexandre Poletti; Alexandra Platon; Olivier T Rutschmann; Franz R Schmidlin; Christophe E Iselin; Christoph D Becker Journal: AJR Am J Roentgenol Date: 2007-04 Impact factor: 3.959
Authors: Reza Fazel; Harlan M Krumholz; Yongfei Wang; Joseph S Ross; Jersey Chen; Henry H Ting; Nilay D Shah; Khurram Nasir; Andrew J Einstein; Brahmajee K Nallamothu Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 2009-08-27 Impact factor: 91.245
Authors: Michael N Ferrandino; Aditya Bagrodia; Sean A Pierre; Charles D Scales; Edward Rampersaud; Margaret S Pearle; Glenn M Preminger Journal: J Urol Date: 2008-12-18 Impact factor: 7.450