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Insights into Imaging
Published in: Insights into Imaging 5-6/2010

Open Access 01-11-2010 | Review

Imaging for suspected pulmonary embolism in pregnancy—what about the fetal dose? A comprehensive review of the literature

Authors: Tilo Niemann, Guillaume Nicolas, Hans W. Roser, Jan Müller-Brand, Georg Bongartz

Published in: Insights into Imaging | Issue 5-6/2010

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Abstract

Objective

To give a comprehensive overview of fetal doses reported in the literature when imaging the pregnant woman with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE).

Methods

A comprehensive literature search in the PubMed, MEDLINE and EMBASE databases yielded a total of 1,687 papers that were included in the analysis and have been analysed with regard to fetal dose in suspected PE radiological imaging strategies.

Results

Fetal dose in chest computed tomography (CT) ranges between 0.013 and 0.026 mGy in early and 0.06–0.1 mGy in late pregnancy compared with 99mTc-MAA perfusion scintigraphy with a fetal dose of 0.1–0.6 mGy in early and 0.6–0.8 mGy in late pregnancy. 99mTc-aerosol ventilation scintigraphy results in 0.1–0.3 mGy. However, there is concern about female breast irradiation in CT, which is higher than in scintigraphy. CT radiation risks for breast tissue remain unclear.

Conclusion

Knowledge of dosimetry and radiation risks is crucial in the radiological work-up of suspected PE in pregnancy. It is reasonable to reserve scintigraphy for pregnant patients with normal chest radiography findings and no history of asthma or chronic lung disease. Performing CT applying dose reduction instead of scintigraphy will minimise fetal radiation dose and maximise the diagnostic value.
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Metadata
Title
Imaging for suspected pulmonary embolism in pregnancy—what about the fetal dose? A comprehensive review of the literature
Authors
Tilo Niemann
Guillaume Nicolas
Hans W. Roser
Jan Müller-Brand
Georg Bongartz
Publication date
01-11-2010
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Insights into Imaging / Issue 5-6/2010
Electronic ISSN: 1869-4101
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13244-010-0043-6

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