title: Evaluation and optimization of occupational eye lens dosimetry during positron emission tomography (PET) procedures.
abstract: The last recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection for eye lens dose suggest an important reduction on the radiation limits associated with early and late tissue reactions. The aim of this work is to quantify and optimize the eye lens dose associated to nurse staff during positron emission tomography (PET) procedures. PET is one of the most important diagnostic methods of oncological and neurological cancer disease involving an important number of workers exposed to the high energy isotope F-18. We characterize the relevant stages as preparation and administration of monodose syringes in terms of occupational dose. A direct reading silicon dosimeter was used to measure the lens dose to staff. The highest dose of radiation was observed during preparation of the fluorodesoxyglucose (FDG) syringes. By optimizing a suitable vials' distribution of FDG we find an important reduction in occupational doses. Extrapolation of our data to other clinical scenarios indicates that, depending on the work load and/or syringes activity, safety limits of the dose might be exceeded.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Physics and Radiological Protection, University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
authors.forename: Jacobo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Guiu-Souto
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sánchez-García
authors.forename: Rubén
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vázquez-Vázquez
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Otero
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Luna
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mosquera
authors.forename: Ramón Lobato
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Busto
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aguiar
authors.forename: Álvaro
authors.initials: Á
authors.lastname: Ruibal
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pardo-Montero
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pombar-Cameán
mesh_terms: D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000528:radiation effects*; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000592:standards*; D011874:Radiometry; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18