Erect pelvic radiography with fat tissue displacement

impact on radiation dose and image quality

Šejla Trožić (Author), Andrew England (Author), Nejc Mekiš (Author)

Abstract

Introduction: Pelvic radiography is one of the most frequent general radiography imaging procedures. Pelvic radiography is usually performed in the supine position, but in some cases erect imaging is performed. The aim of this study was to determine whether radiation dose and image quality differ between two different erect pelvic radiographic procedures in overweight and obese patients, with and without displacement of anterior adipose tissue. Methods: This research was a two-part study. The first part of the study was to determine a suitable fat displacement band that would not produce artifacts on the resulting radiograph when fat tissue was displaced. The second part of the study was performed in a clinical setting on 60 overweight or obese patients (BMI ≥25) referred for erect pelvic imaging. Patients were randomly divided into two equal groups, half of which displaced adipose tissue from the region of interest and the other group did not. Waist and hip circumference, height, weight, dose-area- product (DAP), primary field size, source-to-skin distance, mAs, and kV were measured. Body Mass Index (BMI), entrance surface dose (ESD), and effective dose (ED) were then calculated. The resulting images were evaluated by three radiologists. Results: It was found that a thin cotton triangular bandage produced no visible radiographic artefacts. In the group of patients using the fat displacement protocol, a statistically significant reduction in waist circumference (4.7%), DAP (38.5%), ESD (44%) and ED (38.7%) were observed (p < 0.05). In addition, a significant (p < 0.05) increase was found for all the observed image quality criteria and overall total image score with exception of sacroiliac joint, iliac crest and pubic/ischial rami. Conclusion: Based on the results, the use of the adipose tissue displacement protocol for radiography of the pelvis and hip in the erect position in overweight and obese patients is recommended. Implications for practice: The use of cotton bands to remove adipose tissue during pelvic imaging in obese and overweight patients results in a reduction of radiation dose received by the patient and improves image quality. This technique is quick, easy, and inexpensive.

Keywords

erect pelvic radiography;fat tissue displacement;image quality;radiation dose;

Data

Language:	English
Year of publishing:	2023
Typology:	1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization:	UL ZF - University College of Health Studies
UDC:	616-073
COBISS:	147388419
ISSN:	1078-8174
Views:	185
Downloads:	38
Average score:	0 (0 votes)
Metadata:

Other data

Secondary language:	Slovenian
Secondary keywords:	radiografija pokončne medenice;premik maščobnega tkiva;kakovost slike;doza sevanja;Radiography;Radiografija;
Type (COBISS):	Article
Pages:	str. 546-551
Volume:	ǂVol. ǂ29
Issue:	ǂiss. ǂ3
Chronology:	2023
DOI:	10.1016/j.radi.2023.03.004
ID:	18445172