Radiation exposure to operating staff during rotational flat-panel angiography and C-arm cone beam computed tomography (CT) applications.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the radiation exposure for operating personnel associated with rotational flat-panel angiography and C-arm cone beam CT.


METHODS
Using a dedicated angiography-suite, 2D and 3D examinations of the liver were performed on a phantom to generate scattered radiation. Exposure was measured with a dosimeter at predefined heights (eye, thyroid, breast, gonads and knee) at the physician's location. Analysis included 3D procedures with a field of view (FOV) of 24 cm × 18 cm (8s/rotation, 20s/rotation and 5s/2 rotations), and 47 cm×18 cm (16s/2 rotations) and standard 2D angiography (10s, FOV 24 cm×18 cm).


RESULTS
Measurements showed the highest radiation dose at the eye and thyroid level. In comparison to 2D-DSA (3.9 μSv eye-exposure), the 3D procedures caused an increased radiation exposure both in standard FOV (8s/rotation: 28.0 μSv, 20s/rotation: 79.3 μSv, 5s/2 rotations: 32.5 μSv) and large FOV (37.6 μSv). Proportional distributions were measured for the residual heights. With the use of lead glass, irradiation of the eye lens was reduced to 0.2 μSv (2D DSA) and 10.6 μSv (3D technique with 20s/rotation).


CONCLUSIONS
Rotational flat-panel angiography and C-arm cone beam applications significantly increase radiation exposure to the attending operator in comparison to 2D angiography. Our study indicates that the physician should wear protective devices and leave the examination room when performing 3D examinations.
Goethe University Hospital, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany. boris.schell@googlemail.com
Boris
B
Schulz
Ralf
R
Heidenreich
Monika
M
Heidenreich
Katrin
K
Eichler
Axel
A
Thalhammer
Naguib Nagy Naguib
NN
Naeem
Thomas Josef
TJ
Vogl
Stefan
S
Zangos
D000792:Angiography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005858:Germany; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009873:Operating Rooms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011874:Radiometry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012399:Rotation; D014963:X-Ray Intensifying Screens / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*