Eliminating Pelvic Imaging Will Reduce Radiation Dose for Detecting Venous Thromboembolism

Pelvic imaging using computed tomography (CT) scans are not necessary for diagnosing patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) and eliminating this exam can considerably reduce a patient's exposure to excessive radiation dose.

CT venography of the pelvis during CT pulmonary angiography does not improve the detection of VTE, according to Dr. Charbel Ishak, lead author for this study. He explained, "Using CT venography in the lower extremities without including the pelvis can decrease the population's radiation dose generated by CT usage."

In a retrospective review of 1,527 patients at the Nassau University Medical Center (East Meadow, NY,USA) during a three-year period, only 0.3% (5 of 1,527) of patients presented with isolated pelvic VTE after pulmonary embolism was ruled out of the CT protocol.

Dr. Ishak believes that these findings are promising for helping radiologists implement new protocols for pelvic examination and reducing additional radiation in patients. He stated, "Radiologists and technologists can eliminate pelvic imaging while acquiring only images of the lower extremities with CT venography, starting from groin to below the knee. We believe that by stopping the imaging of the pelvis, we can decrease patient radiation dose without significantly affecting the diagnosis of VTE."

Dr. Ishak delivered a presentation on this study on May 3, 2011, at the 2011 American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS) annual meeting in Chicago (IL, USA).

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Nassau University Medical Center