Female breast radiation exposure during CT pulmonary angiography.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of our study was to estimate the effective radiation dose to the female breast during CT pulmonary angiography compared with other routine diagnostic imaging techniques.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the demographic data of patients who underwent CT pulmonary angiography between May 2000 and December 2002, the diagnostic yield of those studies, and the estimated effective radiation dose to the breast incurred during CT. The estimated effective radiation dose was calculated using the ImPACT CT (Impact Performance Assessment of CT) dosimetry calculator and the CT dose index (CTDI) and was compared with the average glandular dose for two-view screening mammography.


RESULTS
During the study period, 1,325 CT pulmonary angiograms were obtained. Sixty percent (797) of the scans were obtained on female patients. The mean age of scanned females was 52.5 years (range, 15-93 years). Of the studies performed in females, 401 (50.31%) were negative, 151 (18.95%) were nondiagnostic, and 245 (30.74%) were positive for pulmonary thromboembolism. The calculated effective minimum dose to the breast of an average 60-kg woman during CT was 2.0 rad (20 mGy) per breast compared with an average glandular dose of 0.300 rad (3 mGy) for standard two-view screening mammography.


CONCLUSIONS
CT pulmonary angiography delivers a minimum radiation dose of 2.0 rad (20 mGy) to the breasts of an average-sized woman. This greatly exceeds the American College of Radiology recommendation of < or = 0.300 rad (3 mGy) or less for standard two-view mammography. The potential latent carcinogenic effects of such radiation exposure at this time remain unknown. We encourage the judicious use of CT pulmonary angiography and lower doses and nonionizing radiation alternatives when appropriate.
Parker
Mark S
MS
Department of Radiology, Thoracic Imaging, Medical College of Virginia Hospitals, Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, 1250 E Marshall St., Main Bldg., 3rd Fl., PO Box 980615, Richmond, VA 23298-0615, USA. msparker@mail1.vcu.edu
Hui
Ferdinand K
FK
Camacho
Marc A
MA
Chung
Jiyearn K
JK
Broga
Dean W
DW
Sethi
Narinder N
NN
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D001940:Breast / Q000528:radiation effects*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007472:Iohexol; D008875:Middle Aged; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D003287:Contrast Media; D007472:Iohexol