Radiation exposure to patient and urologist during percutaneous nephrostolithotomy.

Radiation exposure to the patient and urologist was determined during 60 procedures for percutaneous removal of calculi from the upper collecting system. For male patients the average radiation dose at the surface of the testis was 160 mrem (1.6 mSv.). Surface dose to the female patient at the ovary level averaged 580 mrem (5.8 mSv.). Radiation doses to the small field or region of fluoroscopy on the skin surface anterior to the kidney averaged 25 rem (0.25 Sv.). Radiation exposure to the urologist at collar level averaged 10 mrem (0.1 mSv.) per case. Patient gonad doses from percutaneous nephrostolithotomy are similar to those from a 7-view excretory urogram. Patient surface exposures at the nephrostomy are comparable to skin doses from standard angiographic procedures. The exposure to the urologist is similar to that from other interventional fluoroscopic procedures and is within acceptable limits. Appropriate use of radiological technology and shielding can keep radiation exposures during percutaneous nephrostolithotomy within acceptable limits for patients and physicians.