Aims and objectives
♦The chronic exposure to low-dose ionizing radiation has raised serious concerns regarding the potential development of occupational cataract and eye lens opacities [1-3],
as well as the development of brain disorders [4,5].
♦Based on recent epidemiological studies [6,7],
the International Commission of Radiological Protection (ICRP) revised the annual occupational equivalent dose for the eye lens to 20 mSv and the threshold for cataract formation to 0.5 Gy [8].
Depending on the workload,
the complexity of the procedures performed,
as well as the employment of radiation...
Methods and materials
♦ Study period: November 2017 - February 2018
♦Study department: 2nd Department of Radiology,
Attikon University Hospital,
Athens,
Greece
♦ Study system: Flat-panel fluoroscopy system
♦ Number of interventional radiology procedures studied: 98
lower-limb percutaneous transluminal angioplasties (PTA LL): 70
embolizations/chemoembolizations: 15
vertebroplasties: 13
♦ Number of IR groups involved: 2 (see Tables 1 and 2)
♦Radiation dose measurements: LiF:Mg,
Ti thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs).
In more detail:
TLDs were calibrated in terms of the equivalent dose at 3 mm depth,
Hp(3) for the eye lens...
Results
The results of the current study are presented on Figures 2-8.
Conclusion
♦This work studied crucial factors affecting cephalic doses to IRs such as
the type of the procedure
the standing position of IR
the IR’s experience
the use of radiation protection tools
♦Doses to the left head side were significantly higher than corresponding ones to the right side (p=0.005),
reflecting IR’s position (Figures 2-4)
♦The highest dose per procedure was recorded to the left eye lens in vertebroplasties (1762 μSv) (Figure 4)
♦Data presented in Figure 5 suggest a more effective use of radiation protection equipment...
References
1.
Picano E,
Vano E,
Domenici L,
Bottai M,
Thierry-Chef I.
Cancer and non-cancer brain and eye effects of chronic low-dose ionizing radiation exposure.
BMC cancer.
2012;12:157.
doi:10.1186/1471-2407-12-157
2.
Jacob S,
Michel M,
Spaulding C,
Boveda S,
Bar O,
Brezin AP et al.
Occupational cataracts and lens opacities in interventional cardiology (O'CLOC study): are X-Rays involved? Radiation-induced cataracts and lens opacities.
BMC public health.
2010;10:537.
doi:10.1186/1471-2458-10-537.
3. Vano E,Gonzalez L,Fernández JM,Haskal ZJ.
Eye lens exposure to radiation in interventional suites: caution is warranted.
Radiology.2008 Sep;248(3):945-53....