SUMMARY: At least 44% of a group of patients undergoing stone operations have been exposed to high levels of radiation, mostly from repeated CT scans, over a short period with possible increased risk of developing cancer. We suggest ways in which that risk can be reduced.
OBJECTIVE: To assess radiation exposure in patients attending for surgery for urinary tract stones.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-eight consecutive patients attending for stone surgery were asked to provide their radiological imaging over the preceding year. Radiation dosage was recorded where available. Individual radiology providers were contacted to provide additional data.
RESULTS: The median number of radiological investigations was six (range 2-15). Patients had attended 12 different providers on 22 sites. Only three providers routinely recorded computed tomography (CT) radiation dose. Up to 26 patients (44%) were subjected to at least 50 mGy radiation in the course of their treatment with at least eight (13.8%) receiving over 100 mGy from CT scans alone. CT and image intensifier radiation dose varied considerably between providers even for the same patients.
CONCLUSIONS: Many patients with urinary tract stones are subjected to relatively high doses of radiation in the course of their investigation and treatment. This may have later malignant consequences. Many providers in Australia are not recording radiation dose and patients seem to have many unnecessary scans. Suggestions on improved management are made which could significantly reduce radiation exposure.
Written by:
Manohar P, McCahy P. Are you the author?
Department of Urology, Casey Hospital, Berwick, Victoria 3806, Australia.
Reference: BJU Int. 2011 Nov;108 Suppl 2:34-7.
doi: 10.1111/j.1464-410X.2011.10684.x
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 22085124
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