Modality specific local diagnostic reference levels for standard examinations have been established in a large digital imaging department with hybrid modalities. Typically the local reference values were lower than those recommended in Safety Code 35, except for CR chests. Factors that affect the dose variations have been investigated and determined.
ObjectivesThe initial management of a trauma patient often involves imaging in the form of x-rays, computed tomography (CT) and other radiographic studies, which expose the patient to ionizing radiation, an entity known to cause tissue injury and malignancy at high doses. The purpose of this study was to use a calculation-based method to determine the radiation exposure of trauma patients undergoing trauma team activation in a Canadian tertiary-care trauma centre.MethodsA retrospective chart review was conducted using the Nova Scotia Provincial Trauma Registry. All patients age 16 years old and over who underwent trauma team activation between March 1, 2008 and March 1, 2009 were included. Patients who died prior to imaging tests were excluded. Dose reports for each CT were used to calculate a whole-body radiation dose for each patient.ResultsThere were 230 trauma team activations during the study period, of which 206 had CT imaging. Data were available for 162 patients. The mean whole-body radiation exposure for all patients was 24.4±10.3 mSv, which may correlate to one additional cancer death for every 100 trauma patients scanned.ConclusionsTrauma patients are exposed to significant amounts of radiation during their initial trauma work-up, which may increase the risk of fatal cancer. Clinicians who care for these patients must be aware of the radiation exposure, and take measures to limit radiation exposure of trauma patients.
Chronic and acute low back pain (LBP) have an enormous societal impact with a prevalence of over 50% of working adults and an estimated annual surgical cost in the range of $20-$50 million in the USA. The imaging of LBP involves all the current radiological imaging modalities with different investigative protocols being indicated for different clinical presentations. It spans from plain film radiography to diskography, depending on the availability of imaging modalities and the experience of radiologists,The direct and indirect signs of lesions responsible for LBP on diagnostic images range from obvious to very subtle. We completed a highly interactive, CD-ROM based, multimedia teaching program on LBP imaging. The program operates on a Windows-based multimedia personal computer. The learner has the option to explore the program in English or French.
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