Cerebral angiography: a device to reduce exposure to the eye lens

A simple inexpensive eyeshield, made of thin sheets of lead apron material laminated to a 5- X 15-cm sheet of x-ray film base, which is taped to the temple nearest the lateral x-ray tube prior to the completion of standard simultaneous biplane posteroanterior (PA) and lateral angiograms, results in a significant reduction in radiation exposure to the lens of the eye. The shield protects the eye lens without significantly imparing the quality of the radiographs. Compared with reported radiation exposure for standard cerebral vascular angiography, use of this device can produce a 20-fold drop in radiation exposure to the lens.