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Ultra-low-dose imaging system may offer up to 89% less radiation exposure vs. computed radiography
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Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego has become the first U.S.-based pediatric specialty center to install the FDA- approved EOS ultra-low-dose imaging system (Biospace Med; Paris, France) for the pediatric spine.
According to a press release, the system captures head-to-toe images of adult and pediatric patients in a standing, weight-bearing position with a radiation dosage of up to 89% less than that of computed radiography (CR) in the spine area. In addition, three-dimensional bone modeling is accomplished through the sterEOS workstation (Biospace Med), and the relative positions of each vertebra can be established.
Unique and previously unavailable
The system provides unique and previously unavailable clinical parameters for surgical planning purposes and follow-up, according to the release.
“Use of the EOS imaging system will have a significant impact in pediatric imaging for spine, as it allows us for the first time to visualize in 3D the spine deformations in a standing, weight-bearing position as well as retrieve fundamental clinical parameters for surgical planning,” Peter O. Newton, MD, an orthopedic surgeon with Rady Children’s Hospital, stated in the release. “This is all done at a significantly reduced radiation exposure and enables repeat exams for a better follow-up from childhood to adulthood.”
Reduction in radiation
The reduction in radiation exposure is particularly important for children and adolescents who have scoliosis or other types of musculoskeletal disorders that have to be observed on a frequent basis. As this process requires regular X-rays, technology that reduces radiation exposure “up to 9 times compared to a conventional CR X-ray” could be beneficial for the pediatric population, Newton noted.
“The EOS system is a substantial progress for pediatric imaging because it not only significantly reduces radiation exposure for children, but also makes possible the first weight-bearing 3D images for better surgical planning,” Newton stated in the release.