Optimising Radiation Dose Estimation: UNSCEAR DAP-to-ED Conversion in Uterine Artery Embolisation

Radiographers and physicians working in interventional radiology (IR) departments are responsible for monitoring and optimising radiation dose exposure to both patients and staff. The dose-area product (DAP) is a common measurement of radiation output but does not directly correlate with stochastic risks. Pre-determined conversion factors allow estimation of effective dose (ED) for IR procedures to better assess radiation exposure risks. This study evaluates the clinical utility of DAP-to-ED conversion factors to improve knowledge of radiation risk assessment.

Retrospective data on DAP (Gray per centimetre-squared/Gy.cm²) from uterine artery embolisation (UAE) procedures were analysed. Conversion factors were obtained from the 'United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) Global Survey on Medical Exposure: A User Manual'. Group A (n = 50), which followed standard protocols, was compared with Group B (n = 50) which implemented dose optimisation techniques.

Multivariable linear regression (MVLR) analysis demonstrated that DAP correlated with the converted ED values for both groups (p < 0.01). The mean ED was 9.5 milliSieverts (mSv) for Group A and 8.7 mSv for Group B.

MVLR analysis confirmed a strong correlation between DAP and the ED conversions, demonstrating that the 'UNSCEAR User Manual' has potential to serve as a DAP-to-ED estimation tool for common interventional procedures. The mean ED found was equivalent to the radiation dose of approximately one abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan. Implementing DAP-to-ED conversion can be valuable in improving both clinicians and patients' awareness of radiation exposure.