Factors Influencing Patient Radiation Doses from Barium Enema Examinations

Author： Vehmas T. Lampinen J.S. Mertjärvi A. Rannikko S.

ISSN： 0284-1851

Source： Acta Radiologica, Vol.41, Iss.2, 2000-03, pp. : 167-171

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Abstract

AbstractPurpose:To analyse factors behind the variation of patient doses from barium enema (BE) examinations.Material and Methods:The patients' (n=89) organ and effective doses (E) due to BE examinations were computed with the ODS-60 program. An average risk factor for BE examinations was derived using the BEIR V schema. The correlation of E with several independent variables was analysed.Results:Median Es at five hospitals were 4.4, 6.1, 7.1, 13 and 16 mSv. The E of the female patients (median 9.2 mSv) was higher than that of the males (median 5.4 mSv) (p<0.001) due to the higher female doses to the gonads, bladder and uterus, resulting from different body structure. An average fatal risk factor of 0.02% per one BE examination was derived. Factors controlled by the radiologist (screening time, number of exposures) explained 40% and patient-related factors explained 16% of the total variation of E. The equipment-related factors are included in the residual 44%.Conclusion:Due to the large contribution of the radiologists' examination technique in the value of E, an optimal examination technique is essential in reducing doses and the stochastic risk to patients.