Patient radiation exposure during general fluoroscopy examinations

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiology
• Radiation Protection

Background:

• General fluoroscopy is a common diagnostic imaging procedure.
• Patient radiation dose management is crucial in medical imaging.
• International diagnostic reference levels (IDRLs) provide benchmarks for dose assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate patient radiation doses in general fluoroscopy.
• To compare these doses against international diagnostic reference levels (IDRLs).
• To establish institutional local diagnostic reference levels (LDRLs).

Main Methods:

• A retrospective survey of 650 patients (adults and children) undergoing fluoroscopy.
• Recorded cumulative reference point air kerma (K(a,r)), kerma area product (KAP), and fluoroscopy time (FT).
• Utilized X-ray equipment with integrated dose measuring systems.

Main Results:

• 83% of adult fluoroscopy exams were below IDRLs for KAP, 33% for fluoroscopy time.
• 60% of pediatric exams were below available KAP IDRLs.
• Proposed LDRLs for K(a,r), KAP, and FT due to broad dose ranges and values exceeding IDRLs.

Conclusions:

• Many fluoroscopy examinations exceed international dose benchmarks.
• There is a need for improved training in radiation protection for personnel.
• Establishing local diagnostic reference levels is essential for dose optimization.