Estimation of the effective dose to the radiologists during fluoroscopy or angiography of abdominal viscera

ABSTRACTBackground: as fluoroscopy or different angiographies are usually evaluated using TL dosimeter. Thismethod is a time-consuming procedure therefore, radiologists are usually worried and unawareof their exact radiation dose received during each fluoroscopy or angiography. In this study, anew trend for quick estimation of effective dose based on measuring air-absorbed dose of thescattered radiations at body surface of the radiologists has been introduced.The radiation effective dose received by the radiologists during procedures suchMaterials and Methods: fluoroscopy unit (Shimatsu, model SF5010MD), and a water phantom (spherical plastic bag 27cm in diameter filled with water up to 22.5 cm height). Radiation field was 20 × 20 cm on thebed and X-ray tube had 1.5 and 2 mm of Aluminum as an internal and external filtrationrespectively. A calibrated survey meter model RDS-110 was used to measure the scatteredradiation horizontally and vertically around the phantom at different angles and distances, infront and behind of an apron.Scattered radiations of abdominal viscera were simulated by aResults: mA, was 451 µGy/h. This value reduced to 4.45 µGy/h by passing through lead ribbons ofserigraph and to 1.2 µSv/h behind an apron. The scattered dose rate at different angles above thebed was constant and varied by distance from the center of the radiation field. The effectivedose received by the radiologist is estimated to be about 174µGy/h, while wearing an apron andstaying 50 cm away from the patient during fluoroscopy or angiography of abdominal viscera.The scattered dose rate at 1 m from the phantom, during fluoroscopy at 83 kVp and 1.7 Conclusion: different angiographies of abdominal viscera, by determining scatter radiation dose at their bodysurface and applying factor 0.87 for shielding effect of the body. Equivalent organ dose can alsobe calculated from dose rate in air after applying factor 0.87 for deep organs or 1.1 (the massenergy absorption coefficient ratio of water/tissue to air) for organs near the surface. Radiat. Res., 2005 2 (4): 185-190The radiologist can estimate his/her effective dose following a fluoroscopy orIran. J.