Radiation exposure in uroradiology

Abstract

Over the last two decades, there has been an increase in the use of radiation-based imaging during investigation and management of urolithiasis. This raises concerns regarding radiation exposure to patients, technologists, and physicians. The effective dose received by the individual determines the risk of stochastic effects of ionizing radiations. Dose-dependent or deterministic effects are fairly uncommon in medical imaging. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has recommended that clinicians justify and optimize radiationbased procedures to minimize the radiation exposures. Various practical steps along with modi fi cation in imaging protocols have been advised in this regard. Radiation exposure to the conceptus (the embryo or fetus and all the tissues that surround it during pregnancy) in a pregnant or possibly pregnant female is a matter of great concern due to rare but possible detrimental effects. Risk for these detrimental effects of radiation upon conceptus and fetus can be calculated by a medical physicist based upon the age of conceptus at the time of said examination and a reasoned estimate of absorbed dose.