title: Ancillary equipment to increase quality and reduce radiation exposure in the equine nuclear medicine laboratory.
abstract: The construction of ancillary equipment used to improve image quality and reduce personnel radiation exposure in the equine nuclear medicine laboratory is illustrated. The devices include a self supporting lead sheet for shielding the distal limb or limb pair, a hanging lead sheet for shielding the proximal limb, a lead square for shielding the urinary bladder or jugular catheter, a restraining board for acquiring a palmar view of the foot, a head support to stabilize the head for imaging and a head support for stabilizing the neck for imaging. The restraining board and head supports decrease patient motion, improve image quality, and decrease the number of repeat acquisitions so that the time to perform the complete study is shortened. The self supporting shielding device allows the handlers to increase their distance from the horse which enhances radiation safety.
authors.affiliation: Department of Large Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens 30602, USA.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Neuwirth
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Romine
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004867:Equipment Design; D006736:Horses; D009683:Nuclear Medicine / Q000295:instrumentation*