The free routine postcatheterization urogram: a cost/benefit analysis

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · Pediatr. Cardiol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02082325· OSTI ID:5995566

Waldman, J D; Kaplan, G W; Rummerfield, P S; Gilpin, E A; Kirkpatrick, S E

Postangiography urography has become routine procedure in most centers performing cardiac catheterization in children. We analyzed the x-radiation dosage and clinical yield of this procedure. Using lithium fluoride thermoluminescent dosimeters, radiation exposure to the abdomen and gonads was measured in 35 children during postangiography urography. Results of 334 consecutive routine postangiography cine-urograms were evaluated based on clinical significance and compared to previous reports on this subject. Average absorbed abdominal radiation dosage was 241 mR +/- 240 from cine-urography, 16 mR +/- 13 from fluoroscopy, and 107 mR +/- 111 from a single abdominal roentgenogram. Gonadal dosage averaged 8 mR and was uniformly less than 27 mR. Of 334 routine postangiography cineurograms, 282 (84%) were normal, 30 (9%) were technically inadequate, 12 (3%) had abnormalities that were clinically insignificant or were falsely positive and in 10 (3%), clinically significant urologic conditions were confirmed. Because of the low yield of clinically significant anomalies and the added radiation exposure, we no longer perform routine postangiography cine-urography in children. Following cardiac angiography, the upper renal collecting systems are examined fluoroscopically. If abnormalities are suspected or fluoroscopy is equivocal, a single abdominal roentgenogram is performed. Using this procedure, mean average absorbed abdominal radiation dose can be reduced from 241 mR to 30.5 mR.

• Research Organization: Pediatric Cardiology Medical Group, Children's Hospital, San Diego, California
• OSTI ID: 5995566
• Journal Information: Pediatr. Cardiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Pediatr. Cardiol.; (United States) Vol. 3:1; ISSN PECAD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AGE GROUPS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BIOMEDICAL RADIOGRAPHY
BODY
CHILDREN
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DISEASES
DOSES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
FLUOROSCOPY
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
KIDNEYS
MEDICINE
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
PATIENTS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION HAZARDS
RADIATIONS
RADIOLOGY
UROGENITAL SYSTEM DISEASES
X RADIATION