Radiation Eye Dose for Physicians in CT Fluoroscopy-Guided Biopsy.

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiology
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Physicians performing computed tomography fluoroscopy (CTF)-guided biopsies are at risk of elevated radiation eye doses due to proximity to scattered radiation.
• Accurate dosimetry is essential for monitoring and mitigating occupational radiation exposure to the lens of the eye.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure and evaluate the radiation eye dose (Hp (3)) received by a physician during CTF-guided biopsies over 18 months.
• To assess the protective efficacy of lead (Pb) eyeglasses and compare direct eye dosimetry with neck dosimetry and CT dose parameters.

Main Methods:

• A single physician wore a direct eye dosimeter (DOSIRIS™) above and below lead eyeglasses during 95 CTF-guided biopsy procedures.
• Occupational radiation dose was also monitored using a neck dosimeter, and CT dose-related parameters were recorded.
• Eye doses were estimated using neck dosimeters and CT parameters for comparison.

Main Results:

• The physician's 18-month eye doses (Hp (3)) without lead eyeglasses were 2.25 mSv (right) and 2.06 mSv (left).
• Lead eyeglasses provided 27.8% (right) and 37.5% (left) protection.
• Significant correlations were found between eye and neck doses (R²=0.82/0.55) and between CT parameters (mAs) and eye doses (R²=0.50/0.52).
• Neck dosimeters underestimated the actual eye dose (Hp (3)).

Conclusions:

• Direct eye dosimetry, such as with DOSIRIS™, is necessary for accurate assessment of physician eye lens doses during CTF procedures.
• Lead eyeglasses offer significant, though variable, protection against radiation exposure to the eyes.
• Standard occupational monitoring using neck dosimeters is insufficient for evaluating radiation eye dose in CTF settings.