title: Patient and personnel exposure during CT fluoroscopy-guided interventional procedures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate patient dose and personnel exposure from phantom measurements during computed tomographic (CT) fluoroscopy, to use the estimates to provide users with dose information, and to recommend methods to reduce exposure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Surface dose was estimated on a CT dosimetric phantom by using thermoluminescent dosimetric (TLD) and CT pencil chamber measurements. Scatter exposure was estimated from scattered radiation measured at distances of 10 cm to 1 m from the phantom. Scatter exposures measured with and without placement of a lead drape on the phantom surface adjacent to the scanning plane were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Phantom surface dose rates ranged from 2.3 to 10. 4 mGy/sec. Scattered exposure rates for a commonly used CT fluoroscopic technique (120 kVp, 50 mA, 10-mm section thickness) were 27 and 1.2 microGy/sec at 10 cm and 1 m, respectively, from the phantom. Lead drapes reduced the scattered exposure by approximately 71% and 14% at distances of 10 and 60 cm from the scanning plane, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High exposures to patients and personnel may occur during CT fluoroscopy-guided interventions. Radiation exposure to patients and personnel may be reduced by modifying CT scanning techniques and by limiting fluoroscopic time. In addition, scatter exposure to personnel may be substantially reduced by placing a lead drape adjacent to the scanning plane.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115, USA. nawfel@bwh.harvard.edu
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Nawfel
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Judy
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Silverman
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hooton
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tuncali
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Adams
mesh_terms: D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D013819:Thermoluminescent Dosimetry; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed