Patients’ radiation dose evaluation during contrast enhanced computed tomography urography procedure

Abstract

Renal diseases and urinary tract disorders are causing a global burden, with an estimated prevalence of around 13%. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography urography (CE-CTU) is a well-known diagnostic technique for urinary system diseases for initial diagnosis and, very often, for follow-up. CE-CTU procedure exposes patients to high doses of ionizing radiation; hence, justification and optimization of doses are necessary to maximize the benefits and minimize the patients' risks. This study aims to evaluate radiation doses to patients during CE-CTU procedures and estimate the subsequent radiogenic risk. The study included twenty-seven patients who underwent CE-CTU examination in two different hospitals (National Ribat Hospital (NRH) and National Security Fource Hospital (NSFH)), where 16-slice CT machines from different vendors are used. The variables and significance were analyzed using SPSS and Scheffe's statistical tool. Data collected included the age of patients (19–70 years), the radiation dose received by patients: dose length product (DLP, mGy.cm) and volume CT dose index (CTDIvol (mGy)), and tube current-time product (mAs). Patients' dose measurements per CE-CTU procedure given as (mean and range) was: DLP 3098 (647–5301) (mGy.cm) and CTDIvol 44.11 (15–136) (mGy). The results revealed statistically significant differences in DLP (mGy.cm), CTDIvol (mGy), and mAs, and this could be attributed to discrepancies in protocols, machines, and operators among the hospitals and within each hospital. Considering gender, the variables (age, tube current-time product (mAs), and CTDIvol) showed no statistically significant differences. The radiogenic risks from the CE-CTU procedure were ≈1 per 400. Comparison between the two hospitals showed that the variables varied significantly between the hospitals studied, but no significant differences were found based on gender. CE-CTU with contrast medium exposes patients to high doses. Therefore, proper dose optimization is crucial.