Occupational Radiation Dose, Especially for Eye Lens: Hp(3), in Medical Staff Members Involved in Computed Tomography Examinations

Minoru Osanai,Megumi Tsushima,Akira Fujita,Yoko Saito,Hidenori Sato,Shota Hosokawa,Masahiro Hosoda,Maiko Kitajima,Yoichiro Hosokawa,Kohsei Kudo,Kana Sato

doi:10.3390/app11104448

Abstract

Radiation dose management of medical staff has become increasingly important. Particularly, based on the statement by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) in 2011, a new lower equivalent dose limit for the eye lens is being established in each country. Although many reports have discussed the occupational radiation dose in interventional radiology (IR), few studies have examined the dose during computed tomography (CT) examinations. This study investigated the radiation dose exposure to medical staff present in the CT room during irradiation, with particular focus on the exposure to eye lens. The radiation dose exposure to those who assist patients during head, chest and upper abdomen CT examination was measured in a phantom study. The radiation dose exposure with scattered radiation was never negligible (i.e., high); Hp(3) was the highest in head CT examination, at 0.44 mSv per examination. Furthermore, the shielding effect of radiation protection glasses was large, and radiation protection glasses are useful tools for the medical staff who are involved in CT examinations. The justification and optimisation should be carefully considered in assistant actions.

Highlights

Introduction[1,2,3,4,5,6]
Medical staff members occasionally remain in the computed tomography (CT) examination room during irradiation to monitor the injection of the contrast media, to restrain the patient, operate medical devices, etc. [1,2,3,4,5,6]
The importance of radiation protection during irradiation in CT room is presented in a guideline for radiation safety of medical staff [9]

Summary

Introduction

[1,2,3,4,5,6] These actions are performed for medical safety/procedures or maintaining image quality. In Japan and United States, both, the frequency CT examination [7,8] and radiation dose exposure of the patient undergoing CT examination is high [8]. In these situations, radiation dose management for the medical staff is more meaningful. The importance of radiation protection during irradiation in CT room is presented in a guideline for radiation safety of medical staff [9]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion