Can we use pulsed fluoroscopy to decrease the radiation dose during video fluoroscopic feeding studies in children?
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether it is possible to reduce the radiation dose during video fluoroscopic feeding studies below the current 30 frames/s (continuous fluoroscopy).


METHODS
Ten consecutive children who had supraglottic penetration while swallowing barium were evaluated as part of a video fluoroscopic feeding study. All fluoroscopic studies were performed with a pulse rate of 30 frames/s. Frame by frame analysis was performed of the first episode of penetration in each patient to determine on how many image frames the penetration could be detected.


RESULTS
Supraglottic penetration occurred very rapidly. In seven of the 10 patients, full-depth penetration was only seen on one image frame. In no patient was the full-depth penetration seen in greater than two imaging frames.


CONCLUSIONS
Decreasing the fluoroscopic pulse rate cannot be used as a method of decreasing radiation dose during performance of video fluoroscopic studies because it will potentially result in non-detection of episodes of supraglottic penetration of liquid barium.
Cohen
M D
MD
Department of Radiology, Riley Children's Hospital, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, USA. mecohen@iupui.edu
D001466:Barium Sulfate; D002648:Child; D003287:Contrast Media; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007830:Larynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014741:Video Recording
D003287:Contrast Media; D001466:Barium Sulfate