[Initial experiences with pulsed fluoroscopy on a multifunctional fluoroscopic unit]

Abstract

Purpose: Comparison of radiation doses in pulsed and continuous fluoroscopy to quantify the dose reduction by pulsed fluoroscopy. Further, the applicability of pulsed fluoroscopy in clinical routine has been evaluated.

Materials and methods: In a human pelvic phantom, the radiation dose (skin entry dose in cGycm2) was measured at two pulses per second (pps), 3 pps, 6 pps, 12 pps and continuous fluoroscopy mode, respectively, using image-intensifier entries of 38 cm, 25 cm, and 17 cm. 300 examinations were carried out, and the results of the different fluoroscopy modes were registered.

Results: Dose reduction depends on the image-intensifier entry. Compared to the radiation dose in continuous fluoroscopy, with 12 pps fluoroscopy the radiation dose can be reduced at a minimum of 51%, with 6 pps fluoroscopy to 40%, with 3 pps fluoroscopy to 20%, and with 2 pps fluoroscopy to a minimum of 14.5%. Clinical routine has shown that 78% of all examinations can be performed with 2 or 3 pps fluoroscopy mode. In 12.7% of the cases pulsed fluoroscopy of diverse frequencies was used, in an additional 2% combined with continuous fluoroscopy. Exclusively, continuous fluoroscopy has been employed in 2% of the cases.

Conclusions: Using pulsed fluoroscopy, an 80% reduction of the radiation dose compared to continuous fluoroscopy is possible. About 96% of all examinations can be performed with pulsed fluoroscopy of different pulse rate and without using continuous fluoroscopy.