Objectives: To analyse CT use in recent years in a high-density Italian area (±10 million inhabitants, including 1 million children), focusing on developing age. Methods: Retrospective analysis of records from HealthCare IT System, covering >400 hospitals and clinics. Description of CT use between 2004–2014 in emergency and outpatient care and assessment of radiation exposure trend. Results: Over 9 million scans were performed. Emergency procedures showed a global increase of 230 %, mainly head examinations. In the global outpatient setting, the annual number of CT scans/person increased ±19 %. A moderate increase in CT examinations was observed in the developing age population, while a remarkable increase in dental, chest and abdominal procedures occurred for the 10- to 30-year age range. The increase in mean annual dose/capita in the global patient pool was approximately 42 %, increasing from 0.72–1.03 mSv. The population rate receiving an annual CT radiation dose/capita higher than 1 mSv tripled in the 11-year interval, increasing from 16–48 %. Conclusions: The remarkable increase in radiation exposure raises a special concern for teenagers and young adults, whose risk tends to be underestimated. The fivefold increase in dental CTs in the younger age groups requires further investigations. Key Points: • Literature highlights a remarkable increase in CT use over the last decades.• The paediatric age had higher exposure to X-ray risk.• A detailed retrospective analysis of more than 9 million scans was performed.• Dental, chest, abdominal procedures increased remarkably in 10- to 30-year age range.• This study raises concern about exposure for teenagers and young adults.
Computed tomography use in a large Italian region: trend analysis 2004-2014 of emergency and outpatient CT examinations in children and adults / A. Pola, D. Corbella, A. Righini, A. Torresin, P. Colombo, L. Vismara, L. Trombetta, M. Maddalo, M. Introini, D. Tinelli, L. Strohmenger, G. Garattini, A. Munari, F. Triulzi. - In: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGY. - ISSN 1872-7727. - 28:6(2018), pp. 2308-2318.
Titolo: | Computed tomography use in a large Italian region: trend analysis 2004-2014 of emergency and outpatient CT examinations in children and adults |
Autori: | |
Parole Chiave: | Computed tomography; Paediatric exposure; Patient dose; Radiation protection; Regional survey |
Settore Scientifico Disciplinare: | Settore MED/28 - Malattie Odontostomatologiche Settore ING-IND/20 - Misure e Strumentazione Nucleari |
Data di pubblicazione: | 2018 |
Rivista: | |
Tipologia: | Article (author) |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI): | http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00330-017-5225-x |
Appare nelle tipologie: | 01 - Articolo su periodico |
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