[Needle holder for reducing radiation burden of examiners in CT-assisted puncture. Technical contribution].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the use of a needle guide for CT guided puncture for the reduction of radiation dose of the interventional radiologist.


METHODS
A total of 20 CT-guided punctures was performed. An approach from anterior was used in 12 cases and an approach from lateral was used in 8 cases. We evaluated the practicability, the precision and possible artifacts caused by the needle guide.


RESULTS
All 20 punctures could be performed with the needle guide without any complications. We observed no artifacts on the images due to the needle guide. The ability to guide the puncturing needle was not affected by the needle guide. The use and the efficacy of the needle guide were best for the approach from anterior as well as a lateral approach. However, for angulated appraches from caudal to cranial there was no benifit regarding the distance of the hands of the interventional radiologist from the radiation beam of the CT unit.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of the needle guide is reducing the radiation dose of the interventional radiologist during CT-guided punctures.
Mack
M G
MG
Institut für Diagnostische und Interventionelle Radiologie, Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt/Main, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt. M.Mack@em.uni-frankfurt.de
Straub
R
R
Eichler
K
K
Zangos
S
S
Kniep
F
F
Balzer
J O
JO
Vogl
T J
TJ
D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000295:instrumentation*; D001822:Body Burden; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation*