Course Description
The pediatric patient population represents a wide age and size range, which presents challenges when performing fluoroscopy studies. Justification and optimization are important concepts, and the use of alternate nonionizing radiation imaging approaches should be employed whenever possible. However, fluoroscopy is used for many clinical indications. Ensuring that the right test, in the right patient, under the right conditions, and at the right time is the responsibility of healthcare providers prior to any imaging or interventional study. In many institutions, dedicated equipment for pediatric patients may not be available. Protection against imaging radiation is critical in pediatric patients, as they are more sensitive to the damaging effects and are expected to live longer than adults.

This course will cover the basic principles of fluoroscopy, common pediatric procedures, and challenges and strategies to obtain optimal images in neonates, infants, children, and adolescents. The challenges involved in these procedures and the strategies needed to obtain optimal images in this population, while minimizing radiation dose, will be outlined in detail. Radiation protection and limiting dose is critical in pediatric patients as they are more sensitive to the damaging effects and are expected to live longer than adults. Important radiation protection concepts such time (decrease exposure time), distance (increase distance from source), shielding (introduce shields) and protocols (norms and standards for pediatric imaging) will also be covered.

Learning Objectives
After reading this article, the participant should be able to:

• DEFINE the terms used to describe fluoroscopic radiation dose.
• COMPARE and CONTRAST different radiologic imaging systems and the potential benefits of pediatric imaging.
• EXPLAIN the use of contrast media in pediatric patients.
• DEFINE the parameters that impact pediatric fluoroscopy exposure.
• DIFFERENTIATE stochastic and deterministic effects.
• SUMMARIZE common pediatric fluoroscopic procedures.
• IDENTIFY different approaches to apply dose reduction strategies for patients and staff.
• EXPLAIN the potential impact of dose reduction strategies on image quality.
• IDENTIFY ways to improve pediatric patient compliance.

 

Categories: Fluoroscopy; X-ray/Radiography/Fluoroscopy; Radiography; Radiation Safety/Protection

In order to receive CE credit, you must first complete the activity content. When completed, go to the "Take CE Test!" link to access the post-test.

Submit the completed answers to determine if you have passed the post-test assessment. You must answer 18 out of 24 questions correctly to receive the CE credit. You will have no more than 3 attempts to successfully complete the post-test.

Participants successfully completing the activity content and passing the post-test will receive 2.5 ARRT Category A credits.

Approved by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists for ARRT Category A credit.

Approved by the state of Florida for ARRT Category A credit.

Texas direct credit.

This activity may be available in multiple formats or from different sponsors. ARRT does not allow CE activities such as Internet courses, home study programs, or directed readings to be repeated for CE credit in the same biennium.

Category	Content Area	Credits
Cardiac Interventional	Image Production	1.5
Cardiac Interventional	Patient Care	0.25
Cardiac Interventional	Procedures	0.25
Computed Tomography	Patient Care	0.25
Computed Tomography	Safety	0.25
Nuclear Medicine	Safety	0.5
Radiation Therapy	Safety	0.5
Radiography	Patient Care	0.25
Radiography	Procedures	0.5
Radiography	Safety	1.75
Radiologist Assistant	Patient Care	0.25
Radiologist Assistant	Procedures	0.5
Radiologist Assistant	Safety	1.75
Vascular Interventional	Image Production	1.5
Vascular Interventional	Patient Care	0.25

Category	Subcategory	Credits
Cardiac Interventional	Diagnostic and Electrophysiology Procedures	0.25
Cardiac Interventional	Image Acquisition and Equipment	1.5
Cardiac Interventional	Patient Interactions and Management	0.25
Computed Tomography	Patient Interactions and Management	0.25
Computed Tomography	Radiation Safety and Dose	0.25
Nuclear Medicine	Radiation Physics, Radiobiology, and Regulations	0.5
Radiation Therapy	Radiation Physics and Radiobiology	0.25
Radiation Therapy	Radiation Protection, Equipment Operation, and Quality Assurance	0.25
Radiography	Patient Interactions and Management	0.25
Radiography	Radiation Physics and Radiobiology	0.5
Radiography	Radiation Protection	1.25
Radiography	Thorax and Abdomen Procedures	0.5
Radiologist Assistant	Abdominal Section	0.25
Radiologist Assistant	Patient Safety, Radiation Protection and Equipment Operation	1.75
Radiologist Assistant	Pharmacology	0.25
Radiologist Assistant	Thoracic Section	0.25
Vascular Interventional	Image Acquisition and Equipment	1.5
Vascular Interventional	Patient Interactions and Management	0.25

Category	Credits
Digital	2
Fluoroscopy	2.5
Fluoroscopy Safety	1.5