Program Information
Operator Exposure Distribution During Interventional Fluoroscopy Procedures
L Aumen*, J List , M Nichols, A Csordas, Creighton University, Omaha, NE
Presentations
SU-H1-GePD-I-6 (Sunday, July 30, 2017) 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM Room: Imaging ePoster Lounge
Purpose: To identify a pattern in exposure to different parts of the radiologist’s body during the course of typical interventional fluoroscopy procedures. The project is motivated by previously underestimated health risks to the interventional radiologist and an apparent dearth of information on operator exposure in fluoroscopy.
Methods: Direct ion storage dosimetry badges were placed outside the radiologist’s protective gear on the head, shoulders, and waist on the left and right sides of the body. Additional badges where placed on the left and right sides under the protective gear at the waist. Another badge was worn by attending personnel. The badges were worn throughout various interventional fluoroscopy procedures. All procedures were performed by the same radiologist using an under-table generator angiography unit for which the default pulse rate was 2 pulses per second.
Results: Preliminary results show that exposure was higher on the left side of the head and left shoulder than the right side of the head and right shoulder, but higher on the right side of the waist than the left. Results also showed a higher exposure at the waist than the head and shoulders. The highest reading came from the badge of the technician seated at the head of the patient table. Readings from the badges under the protective gear were significantly lower.
Conclusion: The physical distribution of exposure on the body of the radiologist during actual interventional fluoroscopy procedures showed left and right side differences as well as under- and over-table differences. Better monitoring of whole-body dose might be achieved by placement of a personal dosimeter badge at waist-level than at shoulder-level.
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