Patient and staff doses in interventional X-ray procedures in Sweden

Interventional procedures in radiology are of concern because of irradiation doses to the patients and also to the staff. A questionnaire sent to all radiology departments in Sweden showed that 11,350 procedures were performed annually 1996-1997. In a follow-up study, data from patient procedures were recorded. Type of procedure, dose-area product (DAP) values, fluoroscopy times, number of radiography series and patient data were recorded. For some procedures, staff doses were measured. Skin doses to the patients were also calculated where possible.

A total of 380 interventional procedures were described. The procedures were grouped into cranial, neck and thorax, intestine and abdominal, uro/genital and pelvis and extremities. DAP and fluoroscopy times (mean values) were 200 Gy cm2 for 57 min, 57 Gy cm2 for 16 min, 270 Gy cm2 for 35 min, 212 Gy cm2 for 37 min, 67 Gy cm2 for 21 min, respectively, for the named procedures. Maximum patient skin doses exceeded threshold values for erythema (2 Gy) in cranial, neck/thorax and intestine/abdominal procedures. Effective doses to the patients could be high, 200 mSv.

It was found that patient doses could exceed threshold values for skin erythema (2 Gy) and temporary epilation (3 Gy). Hence, the procedures require immediate improvement.