Background/introduction
Learning Objectives
1. General dose reduction techniques in CT examination of abdominal emergencies.
2. Awareness of CT protocols defined for reducing radiation dose in abdominal emergencies.
3. Most effective CT parameters which play a major role in radiation burden of emergency abdominal CT.
Non-traumatic abdominal emergencies account for 5–10% of emergency department (ED) admissions and 20–22% of urgent CT scans (1).
Understanding the individual patient’s clinical data and laboratory findings is essential to determine CT protocol.
Multiple CT dose reduction techniques can be used to...
Description of activity and work performed
We present main factors affecting radiation dose in abdominal emergencies.
Appropriate protocol considerations for most encountered abdominal emergencies are also summarized.
1.
Abdominal CT protocol parameters
a.
Oral contrast administration – radiation dose considerations
Positive enteric contrast agents cause increased radiation exposure in abdominopelvic CT compared to those with oral water whether automatic exposure control (AEC) is utilized (Fig.
1).
b.
Multiphasic imaging
Multiphasic imaging is usually required for assessment of abdominal vascular emergencies.
Unenhanced CT images may be helpful to detect gastrointestinal haemorrhage or...
Conclusion and recommendations
Appropriate management of CT radiation dose in abdominal emergencies relies on awareness of CT technology advances which allow reducing radiation dose without impairment in image quality.
Avoidance from unnecessary multiphasic studies and implementation of dose lowering techniques are mainstay principles in lowering radiation dose of CT examinations performed in abdominal emergencies.
Personal/organisational information
1.
Mehmet Ruhi Onur (submitting author),
Associate Professor,
e-mail:
[email protected],
Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine,
Department of Radiology,
Ankara,
Turkey
2.
Ilkay Idilman,
Associate Professor,
Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine,
Department of Radiology,
Ankara,
Turkey
3.Erhan Akpinar,
Professor,
Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine,
Department of Radiology,
Ankara,
Turkey
4.Mustafa Nasuh Ozmen,
Professor,
Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine,
Department of Radiology,
Ankara,
Turkey
5.
Deniz Akata,
Professor,
Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine,
Department of Radiology,
Ankara,
Turkey
References
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Achieving routine submillisievert CT scanning: report from the summit on management of radiation dose in CT.
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2.
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Accuracy and Radiation Dose Reduction of Limited-Range CT in the Evaluation of Acute Appendicitis in Pediatric Patients.
AJR Am J Roentgenol 2017; 209(3):643-647.
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Chang M,
Fananapazir G,
Seibert A,
Lamba R.
Accuracy and radiation dose reduction of a limited abdominopelvic CT in the...