[Radiation protection for patient and operator in interventional radiology].
While interventional radiological procedures are minimally invasive and beneficial to patients, some complex and lengthy fluoroscopically guided procedures may cause radiation-induced skin injuries. Interventional radiologists should be aware of threshold doses, actual dose rates of specific X-ray equipment, and practical techniques to control the patient's cumulative skin dose. The International Commission on Radiation Protection recommends that the maximum dose to the skin be recorded when it approaches 1 Gy (for procedures that may be repeated) or 3 Gy (for any procedure) and that patient follow-up be provided in the latter situation. To reduce operator exposure, it is essential to avoid direct exposure of the primary beam to the hands in procedures such as transhepatic biliary drainage. During vascular interventions, the majority of operator exposure is caused by scatter radiation from the patient. Almost every effort to reduce patient dose secondarily reduces scatter radiation to the operator as well. The overcouch X-ray tube system is associated with higher exposure to the hands and eyes, and should not be used for complicated procedures. Appropriate shields help in reducing scatter to the operator.
Department of Radiology, Aichi Medical University.
Tsuneo
T
Ishiguchi
D006801:Humans; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D015642:Radiology, Interventional; D012867:Skin / Q000528:radiation effects; D000078329:Workforce