This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by DOSHI, S K Articles by ODUKO, J M Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by DOSHI, S K Articles by ODUKO, J M

Fetal radiation dose from CT pulmonary angiography in late pregnancy: a phantom study

Medical Physic and Bioengineering, UBHT, Bristol General Hospital, Guinea Street, Bristol BS1 6SY, UK

Correspondence: Ian Negus, Medical Physics and Bioengineering, UBHT, Bristol General Hospital, Guinea Street, Bristol BS1 6SY, UK. E-mail: ian.negus{at}ubht.nhs.uk

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is the leading direct cause of maternal mortality in the UK. Accurate diagnosis is important but, even though CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) is the recommended imaging modality for PE in the general population, there is limited guidance for pregnant patients. Knowledge of the radiation doses to both the mother and the fetus is therefore important in the justification of CTPA in this situation. Dose measurements were made on three helical CT scanners, with an anthropomorphic phantom representing the chest and abdomen in late gestation. Estimated fetal doses from CT scans of the maternal chest were in the range of 60–230 µGy. Fetal dose reduction strategies (mA modulation, shielding with a lead coat, and a 5 cm shorter scan length) were investigated. These reduced the fetal dose by 10%, 35% and 56%, respectively. Fetal doses from a scan projection radiograph (SPR) of the maternal chest were insignificant when compared with the dose from a CT scan. However, if the SPR was not stopped before the "fetus" was directly irradiated, the dose measured on one scanner was 20 µGy.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. K. Pahade, D. Litmanovich, I. Pedrosa, J. Romero, A. A. Bankier, and P. M. Boiselle Quality Initiatives@;DELIM@;Continuing Medical Education: Imaging Pregnant Patients with Suspected Pulmonary Embolism: What the Radiologist Needs to Know1 RadioGraphics, May 1, 2009; 29(3): 639 - 654. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. K. Pahade, D. Litmanovich, I. Pedrosa, J. Romero, A. A. Bankier, and P. M. Boiselle Quality Initiatives: Imaging Pregnant Patients with Suspected Pulmonary Embolism: What the Radiologist Needs to Know RadioGraphics, March 30, 2009; (2009) 293085226. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				BJR review of the year - 2008. Br. J. Radiol., March 1, 2009; 82(975): 180 - 182. [Full Text] [PDF]