An Analysis of Computed Tomography-Related Radiation Exposure in Pediatric Trauma Patients.
Pediatr Emerg Care
; 37(6): 296-302, 2021 Jun 01.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34038924
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
To compare radiation doses used for pediatric computed tomography (CT) scans at community-based referring facilities (RF) to those at a designated pediatric trauma center (PTC) to assess the consistency of radiation exposure.METHODS:
In this retrospective study, patients 0 to 18 years of age with CT imaging performed either at a RF or at a PTC from January 1, 2015, to January 5, 2016, were identified. Data about patients, CT radiation dose, and characteristics of the RFs were compared.RESULTS:
We identified 502 patients (156 RF, 346 PTC) with 281 head CTs (79 RF, 202 PTC) and 86 abdominal/pelvis CTs (28 RF, 58 PTC). The radiation dose (measured in mean dose-length product [DLP] ± 1 standard deviation) was significantly higher for RF scans compared with PTC scans (head, RF DLP = 545 ± 334 vs PTC DLP = 438 ± 186 (P < 0.001); abdomen/pelvis, RF DLP = 279 ± 160 vs PTC DLP = 181 ± 201 [P = 0.027]). There was a nonsignificant trend toward lower head CT radiation dosages at RFs with a dedicated pediatric emergency department compared with RFs without a pediatric emergency department.CONCLUSIONS:
Our data suggest that CT scans performed at RFs expose pediatric patients to significantly higher doses of radiation when compared with a PTC. These data support further study to identify factors associated with increased radiation and educational outreach to RFs.
Texto completo:
1
Bases de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Centros Traumatológicos
/
Exposición a la Radiación
Tipo de estudio:
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Child
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Pediatr Emerg Care
Asunto de la revista:
MEDICINA DE EMERGENCIA
/
PEDIATRIA
Año:
2021
Tipo del documento:
Article