Dose reduction in evacuation proctography.
The goal of this study was to reduce the patient radiation dose from evacuation proctography. Ninety-eight consecutive adult patients referred for proctography to investigate difficult rectal evacuation were studied using a digital imaging system with either a standard digital program for barium examinations, a reduced dose digital program (both with and without additional copper filtration), or Video fluoroscopy. Dose-area products were recorded for each examination and the groups were compared. All four protocols produced technically acceptable examinations. The low-dose program with copper filtration (median dose 382 cGy cm2) and Video fluoroscopy (median dose 705 cGy cm2) were associated with significantly less dose than other groups (p < 0.0001). Patient dose during evacuation proctography can be reduced significantly without compromising the diagnostic quality of the examination. A digital program with added copper filtration conveyed the lowest dose.
Hare
C
C
Intestinal Imaging Centre, St Mark's Hospital, London, UK.
Halligan
S
S
Bartram
C I
CI
Gupta
R
R
Walker
A E
AE
Renfrew
I
I
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D003287:Contrast Media; D003672:Defecation; D003974:Diatrizoate Meglumine; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012007:Rectum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014741:Video Recording
D003287:Contrast Media; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D003974:Diatrizoate Meglumine