BJU international
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What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Radiation exposure is a cause of cancer. Increasing use of CT scans has increased patient exposure to ionizing radiation which may increase long-term risk of cancer. Not all scans performed may be medically necessary. Up to 30% of patients presenting with renal/ureteric colic have been estimated to receive too much radiation. At least 30% of patients attending for stone surgery have exceeded the recommended annual radiation dosage. Many Australian radiology providers do not routinely record CT radiation dose. Radiation dose varies widely between individual patients and between radiology providers. Image intensifiers may be an additional significant source of radiation exposure. Implementing guidelines and informing patients of their cumulative radiation exposure should reduce exposure and risk. ⋯ • Many patients with urinary tract stones are subjected to relatively high doses of radiation in the course of their investigation and treatment. This may have later malignant consequences. • Many providers in Australia are not recording radiation dose and patients seem to have many unnecessary scans. • Suggestions on improved management are made which could significantly reduce radiation exposure.