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Impact of Low Dose Fluoroscopy in Ureteroscopy

Impact of Low Dose Fluoroscopy in Ureteroscopy

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02704949
Enrollment
94
Registered
2016-03-10
Start date
2015-08-31
Completion date
2018-05-31
Last updated
2021-09-29

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Ureteral Stone

Keywords

Urolithiasis, Fluoroscopy, Radiation, Ureteroscopy

Brief summary

One of the most effective strategies to decrease radiation exposure during ureteroscopy is to use low dose. However, the quality of the image obtained is inferior to full dose image. The main concern is to maintain the stone free and complication rate despite the inferior quality of image obtained. Our aim was to evaluate if reducing the dose of fluoroscopy to ¼ instead of full dose would impact in a reduction of total radiation exposure despite a possible increase in fluoroscopy time. Also, if this strategy would impact in operation time, stone free rate and complication rate of unilateral semi-rigid ureteroscopy for ureteral stone treatment due too less than optimal fluoroscopy image. All patients over 18 years old diagnosed with ureteral stone from 5 mm to 20 mm in diameter by CT scan were counseled regarding their treatment options. Patients who failed spontaneous passage or medical treatment or chose endourologic treatment were included in this study. Patients with abnormal urinary anatomy such as horseshoe kidney, pelvic kidney or duplex system were excluded from the study.

Detailed description

Several studies support an association between increasing cancer risk with increasing exposure to radiation. Typical radiation exposure for a patient submitted to ureteroscopy ranges from 2.5 to 100 mSv. The International Commission on Radiological Protection recommends an annual occupational radiation exposure limit of no more than 50 mSv per year. One of the most effective strategies to decrease radiation exposure during ureteroscopy is to use low dose. However, the quality of the image obtained is inferior to full dose image. The main concern is to maintain the stone free and complication rate despite the inferior quality of image obtained. Our aim was to evaluate if reducing the dose of fluoroscopy to ¼ instead of full dose would impact in a reduction of total radiation exposure despite a possible increase in fluoroscopy time. Also, if this strategy would impact in operation time, stone free rate and complication rate of unilateral semi-rigid ureteroscopy for ureteral stone treatment due too less than optimal fluoroscopy image. All patients over 18 years old diagnosed with ureteral stone from 5 mm to 20 mm in diameter by CT scan were counseled regarding their treatment options. Patients who failed spontaneous passage or medical treatment or chose endourologic treatment were included in this study. Patients with abnormal urinary anatomy such as horseshoe kidney, pelvic kidney or duplex system were excluded from the study.

Interventions

RADIATION1/4 fluoroscopy dose

Use of 1/4 fluoroscopy dose while ureteroscopy is being performed

RADIATIONFull-dose

Use of full fluoroscopy dose while ureteroscopy is being performed

Sponsors

University of Sao Paulo General Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* ureteral stone from 5 mm to 20 mm in diameter by CT scan

Exclusion criteria

* abnormal urinary anatomy such as horseshoe kidney, pelvic kidney or duplex system

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
radiation exposure2 yearsEach group of patients (1/4 dose and full dose) will have assigned one dosimeter to assess the radiation exposure every procedure. The sum of radiation of each group will be compared at the completion of the study (2 years) , because individual radiation exposure is too low to be measured. Radiation exposure will be measured (data stored inside the dosimeter) by dosimeter in mSv units at each procedure and the total sum of radiation will be done at the end of the study (2 years).

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
stone free rate3 monthsNone residual fragment in the ureter identified by computed tomography 3 months after the procedure
complications3 monthsClavien-Dindo surgical complication score

Countries

Brazil

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026