Clinical indications and radiation doses to the conceptus associated with CT imaging in pregnancy: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE

To perform an internal audit at a university hospital with the aim of evaluating the number, clinical indication and operating procedure of computed tomography (CT) performed on pregnant patients and of estimating the radiation doses to the conceptus.

METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted of all CT examinations performed in a single centre on pregnant patients between January 2008 and July 2013. The radiation doses to the conceptus were estimated. The results were compared with published data.

RESULTS

The number of CT examinations during pregnancy increased from 3-4 per year in 2008-2011 to 11 per year in 2012. The mean estimated conceptus radiation dose was considered negligible for CT of the head and cervical spine, being less than 0.01 mGy, and for CT of the chest, less than 0.1 mGy. The estimated conceptus radiation dose from abdominopelvic CT was on average 28.7 mGy (range 6.7-60.5 mGy).

CONCLUSIONS

The number of CT scans of pregnant patients increased threefold during the last few years. Most clinical indications and doses were in line with good clinical practice and literature; only in two cases the dose to the conceptus was higher than 50 mGy.

KEY POINTS

• An increase in CT imaging of pregnant patients is of concern. • Clinical indications were in line with good practice. • Estimated conceptus doses were lower or similar to published data. • Internal guidelines for appropriate use of imaging during pregnancy should be established.