Original scientific paper
Radiation exposure from computed tomography in blunt trauma patients
YOUNG-HOON YOON
; Emergency Department, Korea University, Guro Hospital, 80 Guro-2 dong, Guro-gu, Seoul, South Korea
YEON HA
; Emergency Department, Korea University, Guro Hospital, 80 Guro-2 dong, Guro-gu, Seoul, South Korea
JUNG-YOUN KIM
; Emergency Department, Korea University, Guro Hospital, 80 Guro-2 dong, Guro-gu, Seoul, South Korea
YOUNG-DUCK CHO
; Emergency Department, Korea University, Guro Hospital, 80 Guro-2 dong, Guro-gu, Seoul, South Korea
SUNG-WOO LEE
; Emergency Department, Korea University, Guro Hospital, 80 Guro-2 dong, Guro-gu, Seoul, South Korea
SUNG-HYUK CHOI
; Emergency Department, Korea University, Guro Hospital, 80 Guro-2 dong, Guro-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Abstract
Introduction. Computed tomography (CT) has many diagnostic advantages, spurring growth in the number of CT examinations.
As the use of CT increases, the potential for radiation-induced adverse effects has become an issue. The primary
objective of this study was to assess the liberal use of CT induced radiation exposure in patients with multiple blunt traumas.
The secondary objective was to investigate the factors affecting the estimated effective dose resulting from CTs unrelated
to final diagnosis.
Methods. Using data from our hospital information system, we selected patients assigned a trauma code, according to the
Korean Standard Classification of Diseases, and with three or more body lesions assessed by CT at the same time in the
emergency department. Each CT conducted was categorized into ‘CT related to the final diagnosis’ or ‘CT unrelated to
final diagnosis’. The characteristics and estimated effective dose of CTs unrelated to the final diagnosis were analyzed. The
factors affecting the estimated effective dose of CTs unrelated to final diagnosis were investigated.
Results. More than half of all CT examinations were not associated with the final diagnosis. The additional estimated effective
dose due to CTs being unrelated to the final diagnosis in each patient was a sufficient amount of radiation exposure to
increase the possibility of fatal cancer.
Conclusion. A considerable number of CT scans were unrelated to the patient’s final diagnosis, which exposes the patient
to additional radiation exposure.
Keywords
radiation; trauma; computed tomography
Hrčak ID:
134222
URI
Publication date:
1.10.2014.
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