Critical organ dose evaluation during interventional stroke imaging: Implications for radiation safety

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Medical Physics
• Interventional Neurology

Background:

• Neurointerventional procedures for stroke utilize prolonged fluoroscopy and multiple angiographic acquisitions.
• These imaging techniques can deliver significant radiation doses to radiosensitive organs in the head and neck region.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify organ-specific absorbed radiation doses during neurointerventional stroke imaging under realistic clinical conditions.
• To assess the potential risks associated with cumulative radiation exposure in these procedures.

Main Methods:

• Organ doses were measured using thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) placed in an anthropomorphic phantom.
• Simulated stroke imaging was performed on a Siemens Artis Zee C-arm system using standard clinical parameters.
• TLDs were calibrated and read using established protocols.

Main Results:

• The highest absorbed doses were observed in the left parotid gland and at the C1-C2 vertebral level.
• Average thyroid doses were approximately 4.6 mGy, with eye lens doses ranging from 5.6 to 11.5 mGy.
• Significant spatial variability in dose distribution was noted, influenced by projection geometry and scatter.

Conclusions:

• Single-session radiation doses were below deterministic effect thresholds.
• Cumulative radiation exposure from repeated or prolonged neurointerventional procedures may become clinically significant.
• Implementing dose reduction techniques like collimation, optimized angles, pulsed fluoroscopy, and dose monitoring is crucial.