Extremity and eye lens dosimetry for medical staff performing vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty procedures

Measurements of doses to hands, legs and eyes are reported for operators in 4 different hospitals performing vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty. Doses were generally larger on the left side for all positions mentioned. The median dose to the left finger was 225 µSv per procedure, although a maximum of 7.3 mSv was found. The median dose to the left eye was 34 µSv per procedure (max 836 µSv), while the legs received the lowest doses with a median of 13 µSv (max 332 µSv). Annual doses to the hands assessed by the cumulated doses almost reached the annual limit of 500 mSv, while annual dose to the eyes exceeded the eye lens dose limit of 20 mSv/year. Different x-ray systems and radiation protection measures were tested, like the use of lead gloves and glasses, tweezers, cement delivery systems and a magnetic navigation system. These measurements showed that a significant dose reduction can be achieved.