Radiation exposure to patients during extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

Journal Article · Wed Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · J. Urol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6240803

Van Swearingen, F L; McCullough, D L; Dyer, R; Appel, B

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is rapidly becoming an accepted treatment of renal calculi. Since fluoroscopy is involved to image the stones it is important to know how much radiation the patient receives during this procedure. Surface radiation exposure to the patient was measured in more than 300 fluoroscopic and radiographic procedures using thermoluminescent dosimeters. Initial results showed an average skin exposure of 10.1 rad per procedure for each x-ray unit, comparing favorably with exposure rates for percutaneous nephrostolithotomy and other routine radiological procedures. Factors influencing exposure levels include stone characteristics (location, size and opacity), physician experience and number of shocks required. Suggestions are given that may result in a 50 per cent reduction of radiation exposure.

• Research Organization: Wake Forest Univ., Winston-Salem, NC
• OSTI ID: 6240803
• Journal Information: J. Urol.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Urol.; (United States) Vol. 138:1; ISSN JOURA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560151* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Man
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BODY
DISEASES
DOSES
DOSIMETRY
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
IONIZING RADIATIONS
KIDNEYS
MONITORING
ORGANS
PATIENTS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION MONITORING
RADIATIONS
RECOMMENDATIONS
RISK ASSESSMENT
SKIN
THERMOLUMINESCENT DOSIMETRY
ULTRASONOGRAPHY
UROGENITAL SYSTEM DISEASES
X RADIATION