The objectives of this study are to assess pediatric radiation exposure in certain barium studies and to quantify the organ and effective doses and radiation risk resultant from patients' irradiation. A total of 69 pediatric barium studies for upper and lower gastrointestinal tract. Patients' radiation dose was quantified in terms of Entrance surface air kerma (ESAKs) using exposure parameters and DosCal software. Organ and effective doses (E) were extrapolated using national Radiological Protection Board software (NRPB-R279). The mean ± (SD) and the range of patient doses per procedure were 3.7 ± 0.4 (1.0-13.0)mGy, 7.4 ± 1.7(5.5-8.0)mGy and 1.4 ± 0.9 (0.5-3.6)mGy for barium meal, swallow and enema, respectively. The mean effective doses were 0.3 ± 0.03 (0.08-1.1)mSv, 0.2 ± 1.6 (0.44-0.7)mSv and 0.3 ± 0.9 (0.1-0.8)mSv at the same order. The radiation dose were higher compared to previous studies. Therefore, pediatrics are exposed to avoidable radiation exposure. Certain optimization measures are recommended along with establishing national diagnostic reference level (DRL) to reduce the radiation risk.
Matched MeSH terms: Radiometry/statistics & numerical data
A retrospective analysis was performed in patients undergoing prospective ECG-triggered coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography (CCTA) with the single-source 64-slice CT (SSCT), dual-source 64-slice CT (DSCT), dual-source 128-slice CT and 320-slice CT with the aim of comparing the radiation dose associated with different CT generations. A total of 164 patients undergoing prospective ECG-triggered CCTA with different types of CT scanners were studied with the mean effective doses estimated at 6.8 ± 3.2, 4.2 ± 1.9, 4.1±0.6 and 3.8 ± 1.4 mSv corresponding to the 128-slice DSCT, 64-slice DSCT, 64-slice SSCT and 320-slice CT scanners. In this study a positive relationship was found between the effective dose and the body mass index (BMI). A low radiation dose is achieved in prospective ECG-triggered CCTA, regardless of the CT scanner generation. BMI is identified as the major factor that has a direct impact on the effective dose associated with prospective ECG-triggered CCTA.
Matched MeSH terms: Radiometry/statistics & numerical data
A pacemaker, which is used for heart resynchronization with electrical impulses, is used to manage many clinical conditions. Recently, the frequency of pacemaker implantation procedures has increased to more than 50% worldwide. During this procedure, patients can be exposed to excessive radiation exposure. Wide range of doses has been reported in previous studies, suggesting that optimization of this procedure has not been fulfilled yet. The current study evaluated patient radiation exposure during cardiac pacemaker procedures and quantified the patient effective dose. A total of 145 procedures were performed for five pacemaker procedures (VVI, VVIR, VVD, VVDR, and DDDR) at two hospitals. Patient doses were measured using the kerma-area product meter. Effective doses were estimated using software based on Monte Carlo simulation from the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB, now The Health Protection Agency). The effective dose values were used to estimate cancer risk from the pacemaker procedure. Patient demographic data and exposure parameters for fluoroscopy and radiography were quantified. The mean patient doses ± SD per procedure (Gycm2) for VVI, VVIR, VVD, VVDR, and DDDR were 1.52 ± 0.13 (1.43-1.61), 3.28 ± 2.34 (0.29-8.73), 3.04 ± 1.67 (1.57-4.86), 6.04 ± 2.326 3.29-8.58), and 8.8 ± 3.6 (4.5-26.20), respectively. The overall patient effective dose was 1.1mSv per procedure. It is obvious that the DDDR procedure exposed patients to the highest radiation dose. Patient dose variation can be attributed to procedure type, exposure parameter settings, and fluoroscopy time. The results of this study showed that patient doses during different pacemaker procedures are lower compared to previous reported values. Patient risk from pacemaker procedure is low, compared to other cardiac interventional procedures. Patients' exposures were mainly influenced by the type of procedures and the clinical indication.
Matched MeSH terms: Radiometry/statistics & numerical data