title: The importance of protection glasses during neuroangiographies: A study on radiation exposure at the lens of the primary operator.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In interventional neuroradiology, few operators routinely use radiation protection glasses. Moreover, in most centers, radiation dose data only accounts for whole body dose without specific information on lens dose. In 2012, the International Commission on Radiological Protection advised that the threshold limit value for the lens should be 20 mSv/year instead of the previous 150 mSv/year limit. The purpose of this study was to compare the radiation dose in the operator's lens during real diagnostic and interventional neuroangiographies, either using or without lead protection glasses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using the Educational Direct Dosimeter (EDD30 dosimeter), accumulated radiation dose in the lens was measured in 13 neuroangiographies: seven diagnostic and six interventional. Operators with and without radiation protection glasses were included and the sensor was placed near their left eye, closest to the radiation beam.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Without glasses, the corrected mean dose of radiation in the lens was 8.02 µSv for diagnostic procedures and 168.57 µSv for interventional procedures. Using glasses, these values were reduced to 1.74 µSv and 33.24 µSv, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Considering 20 mSv as the suggested annual limit of equivalent dose in the lens, neuroradiologists may perform up to 2,494 diagnostic procedures per year without protecting glasses, a number that increases to 11,494 when glasses are used consistently. Regarding intervention, a maximum of 119 procedures per year is advised if glasses are not used, whereas up to 602 procedures/year may be performed using this protection. Therefore, neuroradiologists should always wear radiation protection glasses.
authors: Department of Neuroimaging, North Lisbon Medical Center, Lisbon, Portugal Department of Occupational Health, North Lisbon Medical Center, Lisbon, Portugal joanabaratatavares@gmail.com.
authors: J B
authors: JB
authors: Tavares
authors: Department of Occupational Health, North Lisbon Medical Center, Lisbon, Portugal CISP, National School of Public Health/NOVA, Lisbon, Portugal.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Sacadura-Leite
authors: Department of Occupational Health, North Lisbon Medical Center, Lisbon, Portugal.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Matoso
authors: Department of Neuroimaging, North Lisbon Medical Center, Lisbon, Portugal.
authors: L L
authors: LL
authors: Neto
authors: Department of Neuroimaging, North Lisbon Medical Center, Lisbon, Portugal.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Biscoito
authors: Department of Neuroimaging, North Lisbon Medical Center, Lisbon, Portugal.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Campos
authors: CISP, National School of Public Health/NOVA, Lisbon, Portugal.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Sousa-Uva
mesh_terms: D005135:Eye Protective Devices; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000528:radiation effects*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D000069079:Radiation Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000379:methods*; D015641:Radiography, Interventional
chemical_list: D007854:Lead
keywords: Radiation protection; lead protection glasses; lens radiation exposure