Effectiveness of radiation control program for Dornier HM3 lithotriptor.
Radiation exposure during extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) was calculated using a "worst-case method" in 135 randomly selected patients. The patients were divided into four groups according to body weight: small (less than 140 pounds), medium (141-180 pounds), large (181-220 pounds), and very large (greater than 220 pounds). Average skin exposure was found to be 15.2 R (from 1.2 to 95.6 R). After implementation of a "radiation awareness program" radiation exposure was calculated in 128 cases (matched for body weight and stone burden) and average exposure was 9.5 R (from 0.9 to 33.4 R) with a reduction of 20, 37, 33, and 62 percent for each group, respectively. Radiation exposure reduction was primarily due to a reduction in the number of radiographic "snapshots" taken as a result of preferential use of special-mode fluoroscopic "stills."
Griffith
D P
DP
Scott Department of Urology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
Gleeson
M J
MJ
Politis
G
G
Glaze
S
S
D001835:Body Weight; D005246:Feedback; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008096:Lithotripsy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011834:Radiation Monitoring; D011859:Radiography / Q000379:methods*; D012867:Skin / Q000528:radiation effects