Approaches to Dose Reduction in Urology
Medical radiation dose is particularly important in urology, where imaging of the male and female urinary tracts and reproductive organs may be necessary to diagnose disease. Imaging is often the key to determining the hidden indications of disease, making high-quality imaging necessary for better clinical confidence.
That’s why Siemens Healthcare works to innovate solutions that make high-quality imaging at low patient radiation dose possible.
Dose Reduction
Dose Reduction Advances in Urology
The comprehensive CARE dose reduction program decreases medical radiation for patients and staff. The ability to combine several applications achieves the right balance in patient radiation dose without compromising image quality.
Reduced dosage for both patients and staff – thanks to Siemens’ CARE** initiative
- CAREVISION – pulsed fluoroscopy
- CAREMATIC – fully automatic exposure setting
- CAREFILTER – automated copper filter settings for reduced skin dose
- CAREPROFILE* – radiation-free positioning of collimators
- CAREPOSITION* – radiation-free positioning of system
- CAREMAX* – dose monitoring and documentation
*Option
**Combined Applications to Reduce Exposure (CARE), a Siemens initiative for dose reduction
Lithotripsy
Accurate localization and monitoring of the stone during ESWL (extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy) procedures is key. This can be performed by low-dose fluoroscopy or completely radiation-free, with ultrasound. With both methods available on Siemens systems, the choice can be made based on the clinical situation and the right dose.
Endourology and Urodiagnostics
Through our constant improvements, Siemens can offer a flat-detector-based urology system, the Uroskop Omnia Max, which offers excellent dose-saving features.
In the past, with the image intensifier technique, urologists had to acquire two or more images in order to see the entire urinary tract (KUB = kidneys, ureters, bladder). Now, thanks to the 43 cm x 43 cm dynamic flat detector and the large field of view with the Uroskop Omina Max, only one exposure is needed to receive a full KUB image with low medical radiation.
Compared to the conventional cassette exposure technique, the patient radiation dose required can be significantly reduced with flat panel technology without compromising image quality. For the many daily standard cases such as documentation of a DJ stent, even more dose can be saved by using DFR exposures.
Image Quality
The Uroskop Omnia Max features a comprehensive CARE dose reduction program with the ability to combine several applications, enables reduction in patient radiation dose without compromising image quality. Covering with the 17”x 17” flat-panel detector a wider examination region for less exposures.
