Extremity and Eye Lens Doses of the Staff during Interventional Radiology Procedures – First Results

In interventional radiology, long fluoroscopy times and large number of images needed can increase significantly the occupational exposure. Many studies have been performed on this field but there is no systematic data analysis on the exposures of the medical staff. The ORAMED project started in order to fill the above gap and improve the standards of radiation protection. The procedures monitored in the present study are cardiac angiographies (CA) and angioplasties (PTCA), radiofrequency ablations (RFA), pacemaker implantations (PM), angiographies and angioplasties (PTA) of the lower limbs, the carotids and the reins, embolisations and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies (ERCP). All measurements are based on a common protocol so that all data can be compared. The lowest Kerma-Air-Product (KAP) values were observed during PMs and ERCPs and the highest ones during embolisations and renal PTAs. The highest skin doses were measured on the left side of the physician. So far, doses up to 2.08 mSv were recorded on the left finger during CA/PTCA procedures. For embolisations, the doses to the legs and the eyes were comparatively high as well. For PMs and ERCPs the doses were generally low due to the absence of image acquisitions.