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Updated: Jul 15, 2026

X-ray Dose Reduction through Adaptive Exposure in Fluoroscopic Imaging
Published on: September 11, 2011
Exposure to direct and scatter radiation with use of mini-c-arm fluoroscopy
Brian D Giordano1, Steven Ryder, Judith F Baumhauer
1Division of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Department of Orthopaedics, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 665, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
Background:
Mini-c-arm fluoroscopy has become an important resource to the orthopaedic surgeon. Exposure of the orthopaedic surgical team to radiation during standard large-c-arm fluoroscopy has been well studied; however, little is known about the amount of exposure to which a surgical team is subjected with the use of mini-c-arm fluoroscopy. Moreover, there is controversy regarding the use of protective measures with mini-c-arm fluoroscopy.
Methods:
We evaluated the use of mini-c-arm fluoroscopy during a simulated surgical procedure to quantify the relative radiation doses at various locations in the operative field. A standard calibrated mini-c-arm fluoroscope was used to image a phantom upper extremity with thirteen radiation dosimeters placed at various distances and angulations to detect radiation exposure.
Results:
After 155 sequential fluoroscopy exposures, totaling 300.2 seconds of imaging time, only the sensor placed in a direct line with the imaging beam recorded a substantial amount of measurable radiation exposure.
Conclusions:
The surgical team is exposed to minimal radiation during routine use of mini-c-arm fluoroscopy, except when they are in the direct path of the radiation beam.
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