CT fluoroscopy shielding: decreases in scattered radiation for the patient and operator.
OBJECTIVE
High-radiation exposure occurs during computed tomographic (CT) fluoroscopy. Patient and operator doses during thoracic and abdominal interventional procedures were studied in the present experiment, and a novel shielding device to reduce exposure to the patient and operator was evaluated.


METHODS
With a 16-slice CT scanner in CT fluoroscopy mode (120 kVp, 30 mA), surface dosimetry was performed on adult and pediatric phantoms. The shielding was composed of tungsten antimony in the form of a lightweight polymer sheet. Doses to the patient were measured with and without shielding for thoracic and abdominal procedures. Doses to the operator were recorded with and without phantom, gantry, and table shielding in place. Double-layer lead-free gloves were used by the operator during the procedures.


RESULTS
Tungsten antimony shielding adjacent to the scan plane resulted in a maximum dose reduction of 92.3% to the patient. Maximum 85.6%, 93.3%, and 85.1% dose reductions were observed for the operator's torso, gonads, and hands, respectively. The use of double-layer lead-free gloves resulted in a maximum radiation dose reduction of 97%.


CONCLUSIONS
Methods to reduce exposure during CT fluoroscopy are effective and should be searched for. Significant reduction in radiation doses to the patient and operator can be accomplished with tungsten antimony shielding.
Neeman
Ziv
Z
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center, Building 10, Room 1C 660, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1182, USA. zneeman@cc.nih.gov
Dromi
Sergio A
SA
Sarin
Shawn
S
Wood
Bradford J
BJ
D000965:Antimony; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D017575:Gloves, Protective; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014414:Tungsten
D000965:Antimony; D014414:Tungsten