Radiation exposure to physicians during interventional pain procedures.
BACKGROUND
Fluoroscopy has been an integral part of modern interventional pain management. Yet fluoroscopy can be associated with risks for the patients and clinicians unless it is managed with appropriate understanding, skill and vigilance. Therefore, this study was designed to determine the amount of radiation received by a primary operator and an assistant during interventional pain procedures that involve the use of fluoroscopy


METHODS
In order to examine the amount of radiation, the physicians were monitored by having them wear three thermoluminescent badges during each single procedure, with one under a lead apron, one under the apron collar and one on the leg during each single procedure. The data obtained from each thermoluminescent badge was reviewed from September 2008 to November 2008 and the annual radiation exposure was subsequently calculated.


RESULTS
A total of 505 interventional procedures were performed with C-arm fluoroscopy during three months. The results of this study revealed that the annual radiation exposure was relatively low for both the operator and assistant.


CONCLUSIONS
With proper precautions, the use of fluoroscopy during interventional pain procedures is a safe practice.
Kim
Tae Wan
TW
Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Jung
Jang Hwan
JH
Jeon
Hyun Joo
HJ
Yoon
Kyung Bong
KB
Yoon
Duck Mi
DM