Efficacy and feasibility of breast shielding during abdominal fluoroscopic examinations.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose was to measure radiation exposure to the breasts during abdominal fluoroscopic examinations and evaluate the efficacy of breast shielding with a leaded vest.


METHODS
Sixty-six women underwent routine abdominal fluoroscopic examinations. During the examinations one breast was covered with a leaded shield. Radiation doses to both breasts were measured with a thermoluminescent dosimeter. The amount of radiation at the skin of the shielded breast was then compared with that at the skin of the nonshielded breast.


RESULTS
Radiation exposure to the breasts varied substantially with the type of examination being performed and with the individual patient. The average radiation level at the skin of the unshielded breast was 119 mR (range, 0-6,320 mR), compared with 59.6 mR (range, 0-1,640 mR) at the shielded breast. The average reduction in radiation exposure was 50% with shielding.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the average level of radiation exposure to the breast during abdominal fluoroscopic examinations is generally low, use of a leaded vest can further reduce radiation to the breast for different types of examinations.
Fordham
L A
LA
Department of Radiology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill 27699-7510, USA.
Brown
E D
ED
Washburn
D
D
Clark
R L
RL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001940:Breast / Q000528:radiation effects; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead; D008875:Middle Aged; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000379:methods*; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal
D007854:Lead