[Radiation exposure in digital micturition cystourethrography in children. How much exposure by fluoroscopy?].
OBJECTIVE
Determination of the proportion of the dose-area product caused by fluoroscopy at voiding cystourethrography in children, using digital image intensifier technology.


METHODS
Using computer-assisted dosimetry, we determined the dose-area product and the respective proportions of the dose-area product caused by fluoroscopy and radiography as well as the number of radiographs taken at a given examination of 40 children (8 children less than 2 years old, 15 children between 2 and 6 years old and 17 children between 6 and 15 years old).


RESULTS
The computer software program correctly differentiated between fluoroscopy and radiography in 80% of cases. Incorrect results were primarily observed in newborns and young children. The total radiation dose ranged in relation to patient age from 22 to 651 cGy x cm2. Fluoroscopy was responsible for an average 78% of the applied radiation dose.


CONCLUSIONS
Computer-assisted dosimetry is useful in determining the proportion of the dose-area product caused by fluoroscopy in older children undergoing voiding cystourethrography. When image intensifier technology is used, this accounts for more than 75% of the total radiation dose. The method is not suitable for use in small children.
Merkle
E M
EM
Abteilung Röntgendiagnostik Universität Ulm.
Aschoff
A J
AJ
Vogel
J
J
Merk
J
J
Bachor
R
R
Brambs
H J
HJ
D000293:Adolescent; D001822:Body Burden; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011874:Radiometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014567:Urography / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014718:Vesico-Ureteral Reflux / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*