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Dose to the interventional radiologist in CTF-guided procedures

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Abstract

The aim of this work was to assess the occupational dose received by an interventional radiologist (IR) during computed tomography fluoroscopy (CTF)-guided procedures; to identify the most exposed areas of the body including the hands and fingers; to suggest recommendations for individual monitoring; and to improve radiation safety of the practice. A total of 53 CTF-guided procedures were studied. Twelve whole-body dosimeters were worn by the IR in each procedure for the assessment of the personal dose equivalent, Hp(10), on the chest, waist, and back, both over and under the lead apron, as well as the personal dose equivalent, Hp(0.07), on both arms, knees, and feet. Special gloves with casings to fit extremity dosimeters were prepared to assess Hp(0.07) to the fingers. The measured chest dose values were higher than those on the waist and back; the dominant hand or the left side was the most exposed. In general, the ring, middle, and index fingers of the dominant hand were the most exposed (maximum in the 36–39 mSv range), while wrist dose was negligible compared to finger doses. Based on the results obtained the following recommendations are suggested: protective devices (lead aprons, thyroid shield, and goggles) should be worn; Hp(10) should be assessed at the chest level both above and below the lead apron; finger doses can be measured on the basis of each middle finger; the arm closer to the beam should be monitored; and finally, a wrist dosimeter will not provide useful information.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all the members of the Interventional Radiology team who collaborated with this work, including nurses who collected patient biometric data and radiology technicians that assisted with CT data collection and gave valuable input regarding scanning protocols. This work was funded by FEDER – Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional funds through the program Operating Competitiveness Factors - COMPETE and National Funds by FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia under the project reference PTDC/SAU-ENB/115792/2009.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), Laboratório de Proteção e Segurança Radiológica (LPSR), Universidade de Lisboa (UL), Estrada Nacional 10 (ao km 139,7), 2695-066, Bobadela LRS, Portugal

    J. G. Alves, J. S. Pereira, M. F. Pereira, A. D. Oliveira, J. V. Cardoso & L. M. Santos

  2. Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares (DECN), Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares (C2TN), UL-IST, Bobadela LRS, Portugal

    J. G. Alves, J. S. Pereira, M. F. Pereira & A. D. Oliveira

  3. Instituto Português de Oncologia do Porto Francisco Gentil, EPE (IPOPFG E.P.E.), Serviço de Física Médica, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal

    S. Sarmento, L. Cunha, A. Dias, J. Lencart & J. A. M. Santos

  4. Centro de Investigação, IPOPFG E.P.E., Porto, Portugal

    S. Sarmento, L. Cunha, A. Dias & J. A. M. Santos

  5. Serviço de Radiologia de Intervenção, IPOPFG E.P.E., Porto, Portugal

    M. J. Sousa

  6. Serviço de Radiologia, IPOPFG E.P.E., Porto, Portugal

    M. Gouvêa

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  1. J. G. Alves
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  2. S. Sarmento
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  3. J. S. Pereira
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  4. M. F. Pereira
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  5. M. J. Sousa
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  6. L. Cunha
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  7. A. Dias
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  8. A. D. Oliveira
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  9. J. V. Cardoso
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  10. L. M. Santos
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  11. J. Lencart
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  12. M. Gouvêa
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  13. J. A. M. Santos
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Correspondence to J. G. Alves.

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Alves, J.G., Sarmento, S., Pereira, J.S. et al. Dose to the interventional radiologist in CTF-guided procedures. Radiat Environ Biophys 58, 373–384 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00411-019-00792-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00411-019-00792-3

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