OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE FROM F-18-FDG PET/CT: IMPLEMENTATION TO ROUTINE CLINICAL PRACTICE

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Radiological Protection
• Nuclear Medicine

Background:

• Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) is a vital diagnostic tool.
• Understanding occupational radiation exposure is crucial for healthcare worker safety.
• Previous assessments of PET/CT occupational dosimetry are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify occupational radiation exposure among technologists during PET/CT procedures.
• To identify specific operational steps contributing most to radiation dose.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of personal dosimetry for exposure management.

Main Methods:

• Personal dosimetry (electronic and film badge) was used for six technologists from 2009-2014.
• Technologists recorded radiation exposure after each PET/CT operational step.
• Data from 2142 PET/CT procedures were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Technologist personal dose equivalent ranged from 11.5 to 23.8 nSv/MBq.
• Whole-body radiation dose was primarily from radiopharmaceutical injection (41.5%) and patient positioning (51.1%).
• Specific sources of occupational exposure were identified.

Conclusions:

• Occupational radiation exposure in PET/CT procedures is quantifiable.
• Radiopharmaceutical injection and patient positioning are the main contributors to technologist dose.
• On-site occupational dosimetry is effective for identifying exposure sources and optimizing safety protocols.