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Comprehensive evaluation of occupational radiation exposure to intraoperative and perioperative personnel from 18F-FDG radioguided surgical procedures

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European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the current study was to comprehensively evaluate occupational radiation exposure to all intraoperative and perioperative personnel involved in radioguided surgical procedures utilizing 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG).

Methods

Radiation exposure to surgeon, anesthetist, scrub technologist, circulating nurse, preoperative nurse, and postoperative nurse, using aluminum oxide dosimeters read by optically stimulated luminescence technology, was evaluated during ten actual radioguided surgical procedures involving administration of 18F-FDG.

Results

Mean patient dosage of 18F-FDG was 699 ± 181 MBq (range 451–984). Mean time from 18F-FDG injection to initial exposure of personnel to the patient was shortest for the preoperative nurse (75 ± 63 min, range 0–182) followed by the circulating nurse, anesthetist, scrub technologist, surgeon, and postoperative nurse. Mean total time of exposure of the personnel to the patient was longest for the anesthetist (250 ± 128 min, range 69–492) followed by the circulating nurse, scrub technologist, surgeon, postoperative nurse, and preoperative nurse. Largest deep dose equivalent per case was received by the surgeon (164 ± 135 μSv, range 10–580) followed by the anesthetist, scrub technologist, postoperative nurse, circulating nurse, and preoperative nurse. Largest deep dose equivalent per hour of exposure was received by the preoperative nurse (83 ± 134 μSv/h, range 0–400) followed by the surgeon, anesthetist, postoperative nurse, scrub technologist, and circulating nurse.

Conclusion

On a per case basis, occupational radiation exposure to intraoperative and perioperative personnel involved in 18F-FDG radioguided surgical procedures is relatively small. Development of guidelines for monitoring occupational radiation exposure in 18F-FDG cases will provide reassurance and afford a safe work environment for such personnel.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Deborah Hurley of the Nuclear Medicine Department for her ongoing efforts in the coordination and management of these and many other radioguided surgical procedures involving 18F-FDG administration. The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute and Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA

    Stephen P. Povoski & Edward W. Martin Jr.

  2. Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA

    Ismet Sarikaya, Nathan C. Hall, George H. Hinkle & Michael V. Knopp

  3. The Office of Environmental Health and Safety, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43212, USA

    William C. White & Steven G. Marsh

  4. College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA

    George H. Hinkle

  5. N-924 Doan Hall, 410 West 10th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, 43210, USA

    Stephen P. Povoski

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  1. Stephen P. Povoski
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  2. Ismet Sarikaya
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  3. William C. White
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Correspondence to Stephen P. Povoski.

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Povoski, S.P., Sarikaya, I., White, W.C. et al. Comprehensive evaluation of occupational radiation exposure to intraoperative and perioperative personnel from 18F-FDG radioguided surgical procedures. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 35, 2026–2034 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-008-0880-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-008-0880-4

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