Comprehensive evaluation of occupational radiation exposure to intraoperative and perioperative personnel from 18F-FDG radioguided surgical procedures.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the current study was to comprehensively evaluate occupational radiation exposure to all intraoperative and perioperative personnel involved in radioguided surgical procedures utilizing (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG).


METHODS
Radiation exposure to surgeon, anesthetist, scrub technologist, circulating nurse, preoperative nurse, and postoperative nurse, using aluminum oxide dosimeters read by optically stimulated luminescence technology, was evaluated during ten actual radioguided surgical procedures involving administration of (18)F-FDG.


RESULTS
Mean patient dosage of (18)F-FDG was 699 +/- 181 MBq (range 451-984). Mean time from (18)F-FDG injection to initial exposure of personnel to the patient was shortest for the preoperative nurse (75 +/- 63 min, range 0-182) followed by the circulating nurse, anesthetist, scrub technologist, surgeon, and postoperative nurse. Mean total time of exposure of the personnel to the patient was longest for the anesthetist (250 +/- 128 min, range 69-492) followed by the circulating nurse, scrub technologist, surgeon, postoperative nurse, and preoperative nurse. Largest deep dose equivalent per case was received by the surgeon (164 +/- 135 microSv, range 10-580) followed by the anesthetist, scrub technologist, postoperative nurse, circulating nurse, and preoperative nurse. Largest deep dose equivalent per hour of exposure was received by the preoperative nurse (83 +/- 134 microSv/h, range 0-400) followed by the surgeon, anesthetist, postoperative nurse, scrub technologist, and circulating nurse.


CONCLUSIONS
On a per case basis, occupational radiation exposure to intraoperative and perioperative personnel involved in (18)F-FDG radioguided surgical procedures is relatively small. Development of guidelines for monitoring occupational radiation exposure in (18)F-FDG cases will provide reassurance and afford a safe work environment for such personnel.
Povoski
Stephen P
SP
Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute and Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. stephen.povoski@osumc.edu
Sarikaya
Ismet
I
White
William C
WC
Marsh
Steven G
SG
Hall
Nathan C
NC
Hinkle
George H
GH
Martin
Edward W
EW
Knopp
Michael V
MV
D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D019990:Perioperative Care; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011874:Radiometry; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted; D013997:Time Factors
D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18