A Retrospective Comparison of Computed Tomography and Fluoroscopic Guided Percutaneous Nephrostomy for Evaluating Radiation Exposure

Abstract

Aim: The study aimed to compare the radiation doses absorbed by the patient in first-time percutaneous nephrostomy under computed tomography (CT) and nephrostomy replacement under fluoroscopy. Material and Methods: Eighty-nine hydronephrotic patients referred for nephrostomy were included in this retrospective study. Seventy-five of these patients had the nephrostomy for the first-time under CT- guidance. Fourteen patients had the nephrostomy replacement operation under fluoroscopy guidance. Absorbed radiation doses were compared between these operations. Results: The groups showed no statistically significant differences in means of demography (age, sex, and pathology) and operational parameters (intervention side and complications) except the absorbed radiation dose. The median effective radiation doses were 1.18 mSv and 1.68 mSv for CT and fluoroscopy, respectively. The first-time nephrostomy operations under CT were completed with radiation doses significantly lower than those in nephrostomy replacement under fluoroscopy (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Ultra-low-dose and fast-acting CT-guided nephrostomy is a safe, user-friendly procedure that leads patients to less radiation exposure than expected.