title: Estimated Internal and External Radiation Exposure of Caregivers of Patients With Pediatric Neuroblastoma Undergoing 131I Metaiodobenzylguanidine Therapy: A Prospective Pilot Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Current recommendations suggest that family members should participate in the care of children receiving in-hospital I metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) therapy for neuroblastoma. The present study aimed to measure the external radiation exposure and estimate the internal radiation exposure of caregivers during the hospital stay for I MIBG therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Caregivers received radiation safety instructions and a potassium iodide solution for thyroid blockade before patient admission. External radiation exposure was determined using a personal pocket dosimeter. Serial 24-hour urine samples were collected from caregivers during the hospital stay. Estimated internal radiation exposure was calculated based on the urine activity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve cases (mean age, 6.2 ± 3.5 years; range, 2-13 years) were enrolled. The mean administered activity was 233.3 ± 74.9 (range, 150.0-350.0) mCi. The mean external radiation dose was 5.8 ± 7.2 (range, 0.8-19.9) mSv. Caregivers of children older than 4 years had significantly less external radiation exposure than those of children younger than 4 years (1.9 ± 1.0 vs 16.4 ± 5.0 mSv; P = 0.012). The mean estimated internal radiation dose was 11.3 ± 10.2 (range, 1.0-29.8) μSv.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Caregivers receive both external and internal radiation exposure while providing in-hospital care to children receiving I MIBG therapy for neuroblastoma. However, the internal radiation exposure was negligible compared with the external radiation exposure.
authors.affiliation: From the *Department of Nuclear Medicine, Asan Medical Center, and †Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Asan Medical Center Children's Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sangwon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Seon Hee
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.forename: Kyung-Nam
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Koh
authors.forename: Jong Jin
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D019797:3-Iodobenzylguanidine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000069079:Radiation Exposure; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019797:3-Iodobenzylguanidine