Head and Neck Radiation Dose and Radiation Safety for Interventional Physicians

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiology
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Physicians performing interventional procedures face significant radiation exposure to head and neck tissues.
• Accurate methods for estimating this radiation dose are lacking, and existing research on protective measures may be misleading.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify radiation dose to head and neck tissues in physicians during x-ray-guided interventional procedures.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of wearable radiation safety devices in protecting head tissues.

Main Methods:

• A humanoid phantom was used to measure scatter radiation dose using radiochromic film.
• Doses were normalized to the radiation dose at the left collar of a radioprotective thorax apron.
• The protective efficacy of leaded glasses and a radioabsorbent surgical cap was assessed.

Main Results:

• Unprotected average radiation doses to the brain, carotid arteries, and ocular lenses were 8.4%, 17%, and 50% of the collar dose, respectively.
• Leaded glasses reduced ocular lens dose by 27-62% on the exposed side but offered no protection to the contralateral eye.
• A radioabsorbent surgical cap provided only a 3.3% reduction in brain dose.

Conclusions:

• A method is presented for interventional physicians to estimate head and neck tissue doses based on personal dosimeter readings.
• Leaded glasses may offer incomplete protection to ocular lenses.
• Radioabsorbent surgical caps provide minimal protection to the brain during these procedures.