Retrospective case–control study on radiation dose for uterine artery embolization procedures.

Introduction: Uterine artery embolization is performed in pre‐menopausal women. Understanding the contribution of radiation dose at each stage of the procedure is important for potential dose reduction. The aim was to retrospectively analyse radiation dose on a per‐procedural‐stage basis, comparing digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and conventional roadmap (CRM). Methods: Group A consisted of 50 patients where DSA was used for road mapping at all stages: (I) Aortogram, (II) Left internal iliac artery (IIA) DSA, (III) Left uterine artery (UA) DSA, (IV) Right IIA DSA and (V) Right UA DSA. Group B included 50 patients, where CRM was used for road mapping at stages (II) and (IV). Results: For Group A, mean total dose‐area product (DAP) was 39.7 Gy·cm2; mean DAP for each stage were (I) Aortogram = 3.4 Gy·cm2, (II) Left IIA DSA = 5.9 Gy·cm2, (III) Left UA DSA = 3.2 Gy·cm2, (IV) Right IIA DSA = 5.5 Gy·cm2 and (V) Right UA DSA = 3.0 Gy·cm2. For Group B, mean total DAP was 33.6 Gy·cm2, mean DAP for each stage were (I) Aortogram = 3.3 Gy·cm2, (II) Left IIA CRM = 1.5 Gy·cm2, (III) Left UA DSA = 3.3 Gy·cm2, (IV) Right IIA CRM = 1.5 Gy·cm2 and (V) Right UA DSA = 3.3 Gy·cm2. Fluoroscopy time was 10 and 9.4 min for Groups A and B, respectively. Conclusion: The highest road‐mapping radiation dose contribution was from bilateral IIA DSA. The use of CRM, intermittent fluoroscopy and elimination of the aortogram is recommended to further reduce procedural radiation dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]