SU-E-I-32: Sterile Radiation Reduction Gloves May Be Contraindicated in Fluoroscopically Guided Interventions

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiology
• Interventional Procedures

Background:

• Sterile radiation reduction gloves are used to lower operator hand dose during fluoroscopy.
• Previous studies quantified operator dose reduction but not patient dose effects.
• Patient safety implications of glove use in interventional radiology remain unassessed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if radiation reduction gloves increase patient dose.
• To assess the risk of radiation-induced skin injury due to glove use.
• To evaluate the impact of gloves on patient entrance exposure rate (EER).

Main Methods:

• Measured patient EER with and without radiation reduction gloves in the field of view (FOV).
• Tested single and double glove configurations.
• Evaluated effects across various patient sizes and imaging modes (fluoroscopy, DSA).

Main Results:

• Single glove use near FOV center increased patient EER by an average of 2-fold.
• Double glove use increased patient EER by an average of 3-fold.
• Increases were minimally dependent on patient size or imaging parameters.

Conclusions:

• Radiation reduction gloves substantially increase patient EER when used within the FOV.
• The significant increase in patient dose may outweigh operator benefits.
• Contraindication of glove use is suggested in scenarios with potential for radiation-induced skin injury.