Measurement of Radiation Exposure When Using the Mini C-Arm to Reduce Pediatric Upper Extremity Fractures.
BACKGROUND
Previous literature has underreported radiation exposure with the use of mini C-arm during pediatric forearm fracture reductions. The purpose of this study is to report an accurate amount of radiation exposure during fracture reductions using a mini C-arm that records the amount of kilovolts, milliamps, and the number of seconds of foot pedal use.


METHODS
Eighty-six consecutive pediatric patients undergoing upper extremity fracture reduction in the emergency department were studied. The orthopaedic resident, either a PGY2 or PGY3, performed a manipulative reduction and casting of the fracture with use of the mini C-arm. Postreduction, in cast, anteroposterior and lateral images from the mini C-arm were saved to the computerized radiology system. The mini C-arm recorded the amount of kilovolts, milliamps, and the number of seconds that the foot pedal was used for each reduction. A radiology physicist (S.K.) calculated the amount of millirem (mR) exposure for each reduction from these data.


RESULTS
The resident using the mini C-arm and the fracture pattern affected the amount of radiation exposure. The average mini C-arm mR exposure for distal radius fractures was 63 mR; forearm 109 mR; elbow 53 mR; and hand 69 mR. For comparison, conventional anteroposterior/lateral forearm radiographs emit an average of 20 mR. Less-experienced PGY2 residents had a higher mR exposure per reduction compared with PGY3 residents.


CONCLUSIONS
Radiation exposure when using the mini C-arm for reduction of pediatric fractures has been underestimated in previous literature. Radiation from the mini C-arm exceeded that from conventional radiographs in most cases. We recommend that residents receive training about the use of the mini C-arm before its utilization as an aid to reduce pediatric fractures in the emergency department.
Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA.
Michael J
MJ
Sumko
William
W
Hennrikus
Jennifer
J
Slough
Kelly
K
Jensen
Douglas
D
Armstrong
Stephen
S
King
Kenneth
K
Urish
D000293:Adolescent; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000295:instrumentation; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D008349:Manipulation, Orthopedic; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D000069079:Radiation Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012621:Seasons; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries