Congress:
EuroSafe Imaging 2021
Keywords:
Radioprotection / Radiation dose, CT, Radiation safety, Quality assurance
Authors:
A. Elkady, M. Ibrahim, M. Osman
DOI:
10.26044/esi2021/ESI-11946
Purpose or learning objective
Computed tomography of the kidneys, ureters and bladder (CT KUB) is a commonly performed procedure in emergency departments, as it is the first-line test in suspected renal colic (1). However, as imaging techniques involving ionising radiation become more common, it is important that these tests are used appropriately; the area of the body scanned should be limited to what is needed to answer the clinical question (2).This is particularly important as CT KUB scans are performed in a relatively young cohort of patients.
Therefore the upper pole of the highest kidney should be the upper limit for the examination. There is no diagnostic usefulness in any imaging above this point, but it would contribute to higher radiation dose.
Standards:
1) Excess scan length above the upper pole of the highest kidney should not exceed 10% of total length of scan.
2)Standard defined locally within department,as there was no local standard agreed within our Radiology department, suggesting T12 as an anatomical landmark to start the scan from.
Target:
100% of CT KUB scans performed for renal colic should have ≤ 10% excess scan length.