Effective dose during screening monitored intussusception reduction.

A retrospective survey of 58 intussusception reductions in 55 patients is presented. During the period studied, the department changed from the use of barium to air as a reduction medium. The reduction rates were 86% with air (37 procedures) compared to 67% with barium (21 procedures). The complication rates were similar. The use of a dose-area product meter enables effective dose to the patient to be assessed. The median effective dose to the patient is 55 microSv, and the 75 percentile dose is 75 microSv. A table to estimate effective dose to the patient during the procedure is presented. This study confirms previously quoted advantages of pneumatic reduction over hydrostatic reduction of intussusception but finds no significant difference in dose between air and barium reduction. We believe that it should be possible to submit the patient to a dose of 75 microSv or less during intussusception reduction under screening control.