Commissioning of the first hospital-based PET radiopharmaceutical cyclotron in Greece: Personnel dose assessment.

Abstract

The role of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) is well established in the diagnosis and management of cancer patients. As the demand for PET imaging continues to rise, many hospitals are installing on-site self-shielded mini cyclotrons to produce their own radiopharmaceuticals, including FDG. In May 2021, the Dose-on-Demand Biomarker Generator (BG-75) was installed at the Metaxa Cancer Hospital in Greece, making it the first hospital-based PET radiopharmaceutical cyclotron in the country. During commissioning, the expected external exposure for personnel was established, and internal exposure was found to be negligible. Personnel dose was estimated with two methods: survey meter measurements in various locations combined with the time spent in each location, and direct measurement using electronic personal dosemeters. Gamma and neutron radiation readings outside the cyclotron vault were at background levels. Inside the cyclotron vault, the highest recorded readings by the target were 18 μSv/h for both gammas and neutrons; at one meter, the values were 5 μSv/h and 4 μSv/h, respectively. Based on these measurements, the annual expected whole-body dose per operator is 0.6 mSv, and the respective extremity dose is 16 mSv. The annual expected whole body and extremity dose for the radiochemist is 0.3 mSv and 25 mSv, respectively. The expected dose estimates for the medical physicists are also below 1 mSv. These doses are well below the regulatory limits and local As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) levels. With experience and a robust ALARA program, personnel exposure could be further reduced.&#xD.