Radiation exposure in augmented fluoroscopic bronchoscopy procedures: a comprehensive analysis for patients and...

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Radiation Oncology
• Pulmonology

Background:

• Lung cancer incidence is rising, making diagnostic and treatment procedures like augmented fluoroscopic bronchoscopy (AFB) critical.
• Fluoroscopy in AFB poses radiation risks to patients and physicians, necessitating careful dose monitoring.
• Regulatory bodies emphasize radiation safety and dose monitoring for patients and healthcare professionals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate patient skin doses, effective doses, and physician eye lens doses during AFB procedures.
• To compare radiation exposure between two hospitals with different AFB workflows and physician experience.
• To assess the impact of cone-beam computed tomography (CT) on overall radiation dose in AFB.

Main Methods:

• Radiation doses were measured using thermoluminescent dosimeters.
• Patient skin doses, effective doses, and personal dose equivalents to the eye lens were analyzed.
• AFB procedures and workflow differences between two hospitals were investigated.

Main Results:

• Peak skin doses were highest on the patient's arm closest to the X-ray tube.
• More efficient workflows at Hospital A led to lower effective doses compared to Hospital B.
• Cone-beam CT significantly contributed to patient effective doses, despite AFB procedures having lower skin doses than other interventional procedures.

Conclusions:

• Workflow efficiency and cone-beam CT usage are key factors influencing radiation dose in AFB.
• Physician eye lens doses were below recommended limits, suggesting radiation monitoring may not be essential for AFB.
• The study provides crucial data on radiation dosimetry and safety for AFB procedures.