Radiation exposure using the O-arm^® surgical imaging system.

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging Physics
• Radiation Oncology
• Surgical Technology

Background:

• The O-arm® surgical imaging system is increasingly used for intraoperative 3D imaging.
• Accurate characterization of radiation doses is crucial for patient safety and occupational health.
• Limited data exists on the specific radiation profile of the O-arm® for thoracic spine and pelvic examinations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify patient organ doses during 3D thoracic spine and pelvic examinations using the O-arm®.
• To assess medical staff occupational radiation exposure during O-arm® procedures.
• To provide data for optimizing radiation safety protocols in operating rooms utilizing the O-arm®.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an anthropomorphic phantom to measure absorbed organ doses for 3D thoracic spine and pelvic scans.
• Created an ambient dose cartography of the operating theatre during 3D pelvic scans.
• Employed an anthropomorphic phantom to simulate and evaluate O-arm® operator exposure.

Main Results:

• Patient organ doses ranged from 30 ± 4 μGy to 20.0 ± 3.0 mGy for thoracic spine and 4 ± 1 μGy to 6.7 ± 1.0 mGy for pelvic examinations.
• Maximum ambient equivalent dose for staff at 2m from the iso-centre was 11 ± 1 μSv per 3D acquisition.
• Dose mapping identified areas of lower radiation exposure for staff positioning.

Conclusions:

• The O-arm® delivers significant patient doses for 3D thoracic spine imaging, yet these are lower compared to standard CT.
• Detailed dose cartography aids in optimizing medical staff positioning to minimize occupational exposure.
• Radiation safety measures are essential when using the O-arm® for intraoperative imaging.