Radiation Overuse in Intensive Care Units.
Chiara ZanonCostanza BiniAlessandro TonioloTommaso BenettiEmilio QuaiaPublished in: Tomography (Ann Arbor, Mich.) (2024)
Radiological imaging is essential for acute patient management in Intensive Care Units (ICUs); however, it introduces the risk of exposure to ionizing radiation. This review synthesizes research on radiation exposure in ICU settings, highlighting its rise during the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise in repetitive imaging. Our analysis extends to radiation safety thresholds, revealing that some ICU patients exceed the diagnostic reference level, emphasizing the need to balance diagnostic utility against potential long-term risks, such as cancer. Prospective studies have demonstrated an increase in the median cumulative effective dose in patients with trauma over time, prompting calls for improved awareness and monitoring. Moreover, innovative dose-reduction strategies and optimized protocols, especially in neuro-ICUs, promise to mitigate these risks. This review highlights the essential but risky role of radiological imaging in critical care. It advocates for rigorous radiation management protocols to safeguard patient health while ensuring the continuity of high-quality medical care.
Keyphrases
- intensive care unit
- high resolution
- mechanical ventilation
- human health
- end stage renal disease
- healthcare
- case report
- public health
- chronic kidney disease
- newly diagnosed
- radiation induced
- mental health
- liver failure
- prognostic factors
- radiation therapy
- papillary thyroid
- respiratory failure
- young adults
- big data
- fluorescence imaging
- drug induced
- hepatitis b virus
- patient reported outcomes
- squamous cell
- trauma patients
- aortic dissection