Ionizing radiation, such as X-rays, is widely used in diagnostic and therapeutic urological procedures including fluoroscopy and computed tomography (CT). These techniques expose patients to significant doses of radiation.
The primary objective of this study was to quantify the doses received during endo-urological procedures and compare them to the natural annual irradiation to assess potential risks to patients.
We conducted an observational retrospective single-center study between October 2023 and July 2024, analyzing the radiation doses emitted during preoperative, intraoperative, and post-operative imaging. Factors such as operator experience and the equipment model used were also evaluated.
A total of 184 consecutive patients who underwent endurological procedures with fluoroscopy were included. The median intraoperative effective dose was 0.226 mSv with a maximum dose of 4.4 mSv. The median doses for preoperative and post-operative CT scans were 8.766 mSv and 6.59 mSv, respectively. The median cumulative dose was 8.459 mSv, with a maximum dose of 74.82 mSv. The age of fluoroscopy equipment (p < 0.001) and operator experience (p = 0.049) significantly influenced the doses received. No significant correlation was found between patient BMI and radiation dose.
The radiation doses received during endo-urological procedures are generally below 100 mSv, but the cumulative exposure from CT scans can exceed the natural annual radiation. Optimizing radioprotection practices and improving equipment are crucial for minimizing exposure and ensuring patient safety.
The French journal of urology. 2025 Jul 23 [Epub ahead of print]
Thomas Vandecandelaere, Xavier Tillou, Cedric Desmont, Romain Lefranc, Thibaut Waeckel
Urology department, CHU de Caen, avenue de la Côte de Nacre, 14000 Caen, France., Nuclear Medicine Department, CHU de Caen, avenue de la Côte de Nacre, 14000 Caen, France., Urology department, CHU de Caen, avenue de la Côte de Nacre, 14000 Caen, France. Electronic address: .
PubMed http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40712787