Radiation reduction in low dose pulsed fluoroscopy versus standard dose continuous fluoroscopy during fluoroscopically-guided lumbar punctures: A prospective controlled study

Shyam Sabat, Einat Slonimsky

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate radiation dose reduction in fluoroscopically guided lumbar punctures (FGLP) using 'pulsed fluoroscopy in a low dose mode' compared with the commonly used 'continuous fluoroscopy in a standard dose mode' while maintaining the technical success. Materials and Methods: Thirty-five consecutive patients who underwent FGLP divided randomly to seventeen patients in the control group with standard dose continuous FGLP and eighteen patients in the study group with low-dose low-frame-rate of 3 frames per second (fps) FGLP. Entrance surface dose measurements from a dosimeter device were recorded as well as the dose area product (DAP). Results: A total of 35 patients with average age of 52 years (range: 15-87 [±17 standard deviation [SD]) were evaluated. Average entrance surface dose of the study group was significantly lower (3.81 mGy [range: 0.21-11.14, [±2.8 SD]) compared with the control group (22.45 mGy [range: 1.23-73.44, [±19.41 [SD]). The average DAP of the study group (10 mGy·cm2 [range: 1-41, [±9.8 SD]) was also significantly lower than the control group (65 mGy·cm2 [range: 5-199, [±53 SD]). Success rate was similar between the study and control groups. Conclusion: Low dose pulsed fluoroscopy of 3 fps significantly reduces radiation exposure by about 600% compared with standard dose continuous fluoroscopy in FGLP. Utilizing this radiation saving strategy will allow to dramatically reduce radiation exposure, without impacting the technical success rate.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number9
JournalJournal of Clinical Imaging Science
Volume8
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2018

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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