Radiation Safety for Pain Physicians

Received March 12, 2012. Accepted March 15, 2012. Correspondence to: Sang Wook Shin, MD Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Bumeu-ri, Mulgeum-eup, Yangsan 626-770, Korea Tel: +82-55-360-2752, Fax: +82-55-360-2149, E-mail: [email protected] This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/), which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Copyright c The Korean Pain Society, 2012 Applicants for the examination in becoming a pain physician specialist have little interest in radiation safety [1]. Since the C-arm fluoroscope is considered an essential piece of equipment for pain physicians, who are focused on nerve blocks, stricter education and requirement standards are required for pain experts. For the reduction of irradiation exposure to the operator, the position of the beam generator is important [2]. Pulsed and low-dose modes can reduce the dose of radiation that is absorbed, when compared to the conventional mode [3]. It is suggested that the annual exposure allowance limit is 50 mSv/year, which is for the entire body. However, over 155 cases of percutaneous vertebral kyphoplasty may prescribe a situation where the amount of radiation received by the body of the operator exceeds the annual exposure amount [2]. Moreover, interventional pain physicians may perform more blocks than the number mentioned above, so they should be acquainted with the imaging intensifiers that are used in normal clinical practice. The physicians should also understand the importance of being aware of the dangers of radiation and the methods for radiation safety. Providing education for pain physicians is the most important way to reduce irradiation exposure [1-3], but the preparation that is required for the equipment at each of the interventional facilities cannot be disregarded at the same time. The use of the thyroid protector and apron are similar, regardless of radiation safety education, but the use of lead glass and gloves are infrequent, even in educated groups [1]. Protective equipment, procedures and regulations should be prepared and available in all C-arm using facilities, which would serve to prevent and reduce the irradiation exposure that is experienced by pain physicians.