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Ocular Radiation Threshold Projection Based off of Fluoroscopy Time During ERCP
Mrinal S Garg1, Pikul Patel1, Margaret Blackwood2
1Division of Gastroenterology, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
The American Journal of Gastroenterology
|December 14, 2016
Summary
Endoscopists performing ERCP may exceed the 20 mSv/year ocular radiation limit. Protective eyewear is recommended for physicians exceeding 59 hours of annual fluoroscopy to prevent lens exposure.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Radiation Safety
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- International guidelines recommend a maximum ocular radiation exposure of 20 millisieverts (mSv)/year.
- Lead aprons are standard, but protective eyewear for endoscopists during ERCP is often optional.
- Understanding lens radiation exposure is crucial for physician safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze lens radiation exposure in endoscopists during ERCP.
- To determine the fluoroscopy time threshold that necessitates the use of protective eyewear.
Main Methods:
- Prospective enrollment of ERCP patients.
- Recording of indications, interventions, fluoroscopy time, and radiation dose.
- Utilizing lens and body dosimeters to measure radiation exposure.
- Calculating average mSv/hour exposure based on cumulative doses and fluoroscopy time.
Main Results:
- In 187 cases, attendings and fellows accumulated significant lens radiation doses.
- Hourly fluoroscopy lens exposure was 0.34 mSv/hour for attendings and 0.23 mSv/hour for fellows.
- Projected annual doses could exceed the 20 mSv threshold.
Conclusions:
- Physicians performing ERCP may reach the 20 mSv/year ocular radiation limit.
- Attending physicians reach the threshold in approximately 59 hours of fluoroscopy.
- Radioprotective eyewear is recommended for physicians exceeding these fluoroscopy time thresholds.
