title: Radiation exposure of abdominal cone beam computed tomography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate patients radiation exposure of abdominal C-arm cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective study was approved by the institutional review board; written, informed consent was waived. Radiation exposure of abdominal CBCT was evaluated in 40 patients who underwent CBCT during endovascular interventions. Dose area product (DAP) of CBCT was documented and effective dose (ED) was estimated based on organ doses using dedicated Monte Carlo simulation software with consideration of X-ray field location and patients' individual body weight and height. Weight-dependent ED per DAP conversion factors were calculated. CBCT radiation dose was compared to radiation dose of procedural fluoroscopy. CBCT dose-related risk for cancer was assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean ED of abdominal CBCT was 4.3 mSv (95 % confidence interval [CI] 3.9; 4.8 mSv, range 1.1-7.4 mSv). ED was significantly higher in the upper than in the lower abdomen (p = 0.003) and increased with patients' weight (r = 0.55, slope = 0.045 mSv/kg, p < 0.001). Radiation exposure of CBCT corresponded to the radiation exposure of on average 7.2 fluoroscopy minutes (95 % CI 5.5; 8.8 min) in the same region of interest. Lifetime risk of exposure related cancer death was 0.033 % or less depending on age and weight.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mean ED of abdominal CBCT was 4.3 mSv depending on X-ray field location and body weight.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC), P. Debyelaan 25, 6229 HX, Maastricht, The Netherlands, anni.sailer@mumc.nl.
authors.forename: Anna M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Sailer
authors.forename: Geert Willem H
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Schurink
authors.forename: Joachim E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Wildberger
authors.forename: Rick
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: de Graaf
authors.forename: Willem H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: van Zwam
authors.forename: Michiel W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: de Haan
authors.forename: Gerrit J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Kemerink
authors.forename: Cécile R L P N
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Jeukens
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal / Q000379:methods*