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Updated: Aug 2, 2026
08:30
X-ray Dose Reduction through Adaptive Exposure in Fluoroscopic Imaging
Published on: September 11, 2011
Radiation exposure during fluoroscopy: should we be protecting our thyroids?
1Department of Urology, Canberra Hospital, Garran, Australian Capital Territories, Australia. vwmtse@idx.com.au
The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Surgery
|December 29, 1999
Summary
Lead thyroid shields significantly reduce radiation exposure (RE) for surgeons and nurses during endo-urological procedures. Wearing these shields lowers RE to near-background levels, protecting thyroid health.
Area of Science:
- Medical Physics
- Urology
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Thyroid cancer reports among surgeons prompted this study.
- Evaluating lead shielding effectiveness for thyroid radiation exposure (RE) is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess lead shielding's efficacy in minimizing thyroid RE during endo-urological procedures.
- To quantify radiation reduction achieved by thyroid shields.
Main Methods:
- Thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) monitored thyroid RE for surgeons and nurses.
- Shielding effectiveness was measured using TLDs placed above and below a 0.5 mm lead equivalent thyroid shield.
Main Results:
- A 23-fold reduction in surgeon RE was observed with lead shielding (0.02 mSv vs 0.46 mSv).
- Shielding reduced RE to near-background levels (0.01 mSv).
- Eight percutaneous nephrolithotomies, seven retrograde pyelograms/stentings, and five ureteroscopies were monitored.
Conclusions:
- Lead shields are effective in reducing thyroid RE to near-background levels.
- Despite current standards, no safe RE threshold for thyroid cancer exists.
- Easy-to-wear lead shields should be standard for all surgeons to prevent thyroid damage.
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