Estimating brain radiation dose to the main operator in interventional radiology

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiology
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Interventional radiology procedures involve significant radiation exposure.
• Protecting healthcare professionals from occupational radiation is crucial.
• Brain dose thresholds for interventional radiologists are a growing concern.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate the brain radiation dose received by the primary operator during interventional radiology (IR) procedures.
• To assess the long-term risks associated with occupational brain radiation exposure in IR.

Main Methods:

• Utilized thermoluminescent dosimeters to measure radiation doses.
• Employed an anthropomorphic RANDO woman phantom to simulate the main operator.
• Measured doses across 19 diverse interventional radiology procedures.

Main Results:

• Minimum and maximum brain doses per procedure ranged from 0.01 mGy (left temporal cortex) to 0.08 mGy (temporal lobe cortex).
• A radiologist performing 500 procedures annually without shielding could exceed the 0.5 Gy brain dose threshold in 12.6 years.
• This cumulative dose may increase the risk of circulatory diseases in the brain.

Conclusions:

• Interventional radiologists face potential occupational brain radiation exposure.
• The use of movable shielding devices is critical for dose reduction.
• Regular monitoring and adherence to dose limits are essential for protecting interventional radiologists' long-term brain health.