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Radiation exposure of medical staff from interventional x-ray procedures: a multicentre study

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyse the radiation exposure of medical staff from interventional x-ray procedures. Partial-body dose measurements were performed with thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) in 39 physicians and nine assistants conducting 73 interventional procedures of nine different types in 14 hospitals in Germany. Fluoroscopy time and the dose–area product (DAP) were recorded too. The median (maximum) equivalent body dose per procedure was 16 (2,500) µSv for an unshielded person; the partial-body dose per procedure was 2.8 (240) µSv to the eye lens, 4.1 (730) µSv to the thyroid, 44 (1,800) µSv to one of the feet and 75 (13,000) µSv to one of the hands. A weak correlation between fluoroscopy time or DAP and the mean TLD dose was observed. Generally, the doses were within an acceptable range from a radiation hygiene point of view. However, relatively high exposures were measured to the hand in some cases and could cause a partial-body dose above the annual dose limit of 500 mSv. Thus, the use of finger dosimeters is strongly recommended.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all the physicians and assistants of the participating hospitals for their support and patience during this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical and Occupational Radiation Protection, Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Köpenicker Allee 120-130, 10318, Berlin, Germany

    Uwe Häusler & Gunnar Brix

  2. Division of Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria

    Renate Czarwinski

Authors
  1. Uwe Häusler
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  2. Renate Czarwinski
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  3. Gunnar Brix
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Correspondence to Uwe Häusler.

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Häusler, U., Czarwinski, R. & Brix, G. Radiation exposure of medical staff from interventional x-ray procedures: a multicentre study. Eur Radiol 19, 2000–2008 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-009-1388-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-009-1388-4

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