Dose reduction in evacuation proctography

Eur Radiol. 2001;11(3):432-4. doi: 10.1007/s003300000613.

Abstract

The goal of this study was to reduce the patient radiation dose from evacuation proctography. Ninety-eight consecutive adult patients referred for proctography to investigate difficult rectal evacuation were studied using a digital imaging system with either a standard digital program for barium examinations, a reduced dose digital program (both with and without additional copper filtration), or Video fluoroscopy. Dose-area products were recorded for each examination and the groups were compared. All four protocols produced technically acceptable examinations. The low-dose program with copper filtration (median dose 382 cGy cm2) and Video fluoroscopy (median dose 705 cGy cm2) were associated with significantly less dose than other groups (p < 0.0001). Patient dose during evacuation proctography can be reduced significantly without compromising the diagnostic quality of the examination. A digital program with added copper filtration conveyed the lowest dose.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Barium Sulfate
  • Contrast Media
  • Defecation
  • Diatrizoate Meglumine
  • Female
  • Fluoroscopy*
  • Humans
  • Image Enhancement*
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiation Dosage
  • Rectal Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Rectum / diagnostic imaging*
  • Video Recording*

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • Barium Sulfate
  • Diatrizoate Meglumine