Statistical Analysis of Occupational Radiation Exposure in Interventional Radiology

Abstract

AIM: The occupational radiation exposure in interventional radiology is hypothetically one of the highest in the medical field. In our medical center multiple specialized interventions are performed including: endoscopy, lithotripsy, orthopedic surgery, vascular, neurological and cardiac catheterization. Analysis of the occupational doses obtained from eleven different monitored groups performing cardiac and non-cardiac fluoroscopically guided procedures are reported.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this work a statistical analysis was performed on the available data from the occupation radiation dosimetry program during the past five years from 2015 to 2019 at a tertiary care medical Centre. The radiation doses were measured using both optically stimulated dosimetry (OSL) and thermo-luminescence dosimetry (TLD).

RESULTS: The total number of monitored staff was 281. The average dose for the 5 years review period in this study was 0.29±0.05 mSv with maximum doses of 1.43 mSv. The occupational dosimetry system has a minimal detection limit of 0.1 mSv. Comparisons with the internationally published data are discussed.

CONCLUSIONS: The reported occupational doses in interventional radiology including fluoroscopically guided procedures was well below the ICRP recommended annual dose limit of 20 mSv. The obtained results are in agreement with internationally reported studies and current trends. The medical use of x-ray imaging during interventional procedures is a safe practice for all categories of involved personnel when adherence to the basic radiation protection methods are closely observed.