NEW ORLEANS, LA USA (UroToday.com) - Given the growing concern of increased radiation exposure and cancer risk that is associated with computed tomography (CT) compared to other imaging modalities, these authors sought to determine whether ultralow-dose CT is comparable to standard dose flank pain CT with regard to various stone measurements including stone size, skin-to-stone distance, Hounsfield unit density, and visceral fat area.
The authors performed a perspective analysis of 21 patients with a history of urinary calculi. Each patient underwent both standard dose flank pain CT as well as ultralow-dose CT. Following imaging, a group of board certified and fellowship-trained radiologists reviewed all CT images. Each image was analyzed for stone size, skin-to-stone distance, Hounsfield unit density, and visceral fat area. Measurements for both image sets at each radiation dosage were then compared.
No significant difference in measurements for linear dimension were found for ultralow-dose CT images versus standard dose CT images. Relevant measurements were preserved with ultralow-dose imaging with the added advantage of a 70-90% reduction in exposure.
The authors conclude that ultralow-dose CT “represents an ideal approach to imaging, and ultimately decision-making, particularly among patient in whom radiation exposure is a concern.”
Presented by Jennifer E. Heckman at the American Urological Association (AUA) Annual Meeting - May 15 - 19, 2015 - New Orleans, LA USA
University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI USA
Reported by Renai Yoon (University of California-Irvine), medical writer for UroToday.com