1947 HOW MUCH RADIATION EXPOSURE DOES A UROLOGIST RECEIVE DURING ENDOSCOPIC PROCEDURES?

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The literature lacks data offering urologists a reference for the amount of radiation exposure received while surgically managing urolithiasis. This study examines the cumulative radiation exposure of a urologist during endourologic procedures. METHODS: A single urologist at a tertiary kidney stone center recorded his radiation exposure over 5 consecutive months, as determined by a thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) worn on the outside of the thyroid shield. A 0.5mm lead thyroid shield and lead apron were worn during all procedures. The monthly fluoroscopy times for all surgeries were recorded as well. Estimations of radiation exposure (mrem) per month were then charted with fluoroscopy times, using scatter plots to estimate Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients. RESULTS: The total 5-month radiation exposure was 25 mrems for deep dose equivalent (DDE), 84 mrem for lens dose equivalent (LDE), and 81 mrem for shallow dose equivalent (SDE). Total fluoroscopy time during this period was 148 minutes for 15 percutaneous nephrolithotomies (PNL), 40 ureteroscopies (URS), and 6 shock wave lithotripsies (SWL). Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients were not significant for DDE (p 0.391), LDE (p 0.391), or SDE (p 0.391). CONCLUSIONS: Over a 5-month period, total radiation exposures were below annual accepted limits (DDE 5000 mrem, LDE 15,000 mrem and SDE 50,000 mrem). Although fluoroscopy time did not correlate with radiation exposure, an ongoing prospective study will account for other co-variates such as patient obesity and urologist distance from radiation source.