Evaluation of a Novel Enhanced Radiation Protection Device in Interventional Neuroradiology: a Phantom Study

Scatter radiation during interventional neuroradiological (INR) procedures is potentially harmful to the operator and cath-lab staff. Enhanced radiation protection devices (ERPDs) aim to improve safety by minimizing scatter radiation in addition to standard and personal protective equipment (PPE). This study evaluated the efficacy of a novel ERPD in INR.

Radiation exposure of the main operator was estimated by measuring the local dose rate at the examination position. An anthropomorphic patient whole body phantom was used simulating a standard INR procedure. The relative dose reductions were determined for the following settings: a) MasterPeace (Texray AB, Sweden) combined with ceiling-suspended lead screen (Mavig, Germany) compared to no shielding. b) MasterPeace combined with ceiling-suspended lead screen, compared to standard radiation protection consisting of a table-side curtain for lower body protection (Kenex, UK) and ceiling-suspended lead screen. Scatter radiation was measured at various operator heights (70, 130 and 160 cm) across seven routine projection angles using a biplane angio-suite (Artis zee, Siemens Healthineers, Germany).

(a) The mean scatter radiation shielding effect was 98.5% compared to no shielding across all measured heights and angular projections when used in combination with a ceiling-suspended lead screen. (b) The mean scatter radiation shielding effect was 79.7% compared to standard radiation protection for all measured heights and angular projections. The shielding efficacy ranged from 93.1% for the PA projection to 31.8% for LAO30/CAU30; and from 87.0% at 70 cm to 39.5% at 160 cm.

This phantom study demonstrates that the MasterPeace is highly effective and provides relevant radiation protection in addition to existing standard and personal protection equipment. Clinical evaluation in INR procedures is underway.