Radiation exposure from gallium-67-citrate patients

Serial monitoring of patients was performed to determine the radiation exposure contributed by patients injected with 67Ga-citrate to their surroundings. Radiology and nursing staff distance exposure estimates were made for various patient care tasks and imaging tests.

Fifteen adult patients were surveyed early (mean 4.3 min) and 11 of the 15 were surveyed at 3 d (mean 68.8 h) postinjection. The standard adult lymphoma imaging activity of 333-407 MBq (9-11 mCi) resulted in a range of 3.7-8.1 MBq/kg (0.1-0.22 mCi/kg). Dose rate measurements were made in the anterior, posterior, and left and right lateral projections at the level of the umbilicus, at distances of patient's surface and at 30.5 cm and 100 cm with a calibrated ion chamber. Time of contact-routine task analyses also were obtained for nursing and radiology personnel. Using a radiation survey-derived biexponential pharmacokinetic relationship, radiation exposures were determined for hospital personnel and family members at various times after injection.

Based on the study population survey results, the mean instantaneous exposures (microSv/h) for an administered activity of 370 MBq (10 mCi) 67Ga-citrate were determined. The task analyses revealed the maximum patient contact time for any procedure performed at a distance equal to, or less than, 30.5 cm was 30 min.

The quantitation of radiation exposure scenarios from 67Ga-citrate patients has determined that no special precautions are necessary for medical personnel when performing routine tasks associated with these patients.