Jeffrey S. Beecher DO, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

William Werner Orrison MD, Abstract Co-Author: Consultant, RadSite Consultant, World Wide Innovations & Technologies

Peter Cartwright BS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Luke Anthony Byers DO, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Estimates of potential cancer deaths in the United States from Computed Tomography (CT) are 1.5-2%. The effectiveness of using CT personal radiation protection is well known, however, such a policy has not yet been established. This study was designed to (1) evaluate the need for a policy to ensure lower radiation exposures to patients undergoing CT examinations and (2) evaluate the effectiveness of novel personal patient shielding as a method to reduce radiation exposure during CT procedures.

A policy was developed whereby all patients undergoing CT examinations over a 5-year time period (2008-13) were offered a novel, comfortable, reusable protective lead-free radiation shielding (RADPAD, Kansas City, KS) to protect parts of the body not included in the CT examination. Radiation monitoring of 125 patients during their CT examinations was performed under IRB approval (UNFORS, Billdal, Sweden).

A total of 28,715 (9,331 head, 19,384 body) CT examinations were performed during the 5-year time period. The training and expense of implementing the radiation protection material policy was minimal. Patient acceptance of the policy has been universal with no patients refusing the use of radiation protection to date. Successful radiation recordings were obtained in 112 patients (39 females and 73 males) ranging in age from 24 to 93 years. Average patient dose reductions were Brain/Sinus (60%), Abdomen (46%), Abdomen/Pelvis (45%), Chest/Cardiac (51%), CTA (43%), and extremities (77%). Thyroid shielding for abdomen and pelvis studies was of limited effectiveness because of high levels of internal scatter. Scout imaging provided relatively negligible (0.001–1.0 millirem) patient radiation exposure.

A policy of providing as much personal radiation protection as possible during CT scaning effectively reduces the overall radiation exposure to the patient. In accordance with the principle of "As Low As Reasonable Achievable" (ALARA) it appears reasonable for facilities performing CT examinations to consider a policy of providing personal radiation protection to patients undergoing CT examinations.

A policy of offering radiation protection material to patients undergoing CT examinations has been well accepted in our study and resulted in a significant reduction in patient radiation dose.

Beecher, J, Orrison, W, Cartwright, P, Byers, L, Universal CT Dose Reduction: Should a Policy of Providing Patient Shielding Be Required?.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14005433.html