Radiolabeled localization of the sentinel lymph node: dosimetric evaluation in personnel involved in the procedure.
OBJECTIVE
Peritumoral injection of 99mTc-labeled colloids for lymphoscintigraphy and radioguided surgery does not entail any relevant radiation burden to the patients. The real issue about radiation protection concerns the personnel involved in the procedure besides the nuclear medicine personnel. The aim of our study was to evaluate the cumulative doses to personnel involved during the injection of radiolabeled compounds, under ultrasound or stereotactic guidance and the radiation burden to the personnel involved in the surgical incision of the tumor 24 hours after the administration of 99mTc-labeled colloids.


METHODS
We performed environmental contamination tests (SMEAR TEST) and exposure evaluation in the operating room.


RESULTS
In the operating room the removed activity in the analyzed samples was less than 0.5 Bq/g and exposure to the personnel was less than 6 micro Sv/h. The evaluations made during ultrasound guidance demonstrated an equivalent and effective dose less than 20 microSv.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results show that during ultrasound or stereotactic administration of radiolabeled compounds the radiation burden to the personnel involved in the procedure is virtually negligible. The surgeons too are exposed to a negligible radiation dose.
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011874:Radiometry; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy / Q000379:methods*; D013668:Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D013668:Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin; C083602:technetium Tc 99m nanocolloid