A multicenter study of radiation doses to the eye lenses of medical staff performing non-vascular imaging and interventional radiology procedures in Japan. (June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Matsubara, Kosuke; Takei, Yasutaka; Mori, Hiroshige; Kobayashi, Ikuo; Noto, Kimiya; Igarashi, Takayuki; Suzuki, Shoichi; Akahane, Keiichi
• Is Part Of: Physica medica. Volume 74(2020)
• Page Start: 83
• Page End: 91
• Publication Date: 2020-06
• Subjects: Radiation protection -- Occupational exposure -- Eye lens -- Non-vascular procedure; Medical physics -- Periodicals; Biophysics -- Periodicals; Biophysics -- Periodicals; Imagerie médicale -- Périodiques; Radiothérapie -- Périodiques; Rayons X -- Sécurité -- Mesures -- Périodiques; Physique -- Périodiques; Médecine -- Périodiques; 610.153
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2020.05.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1120-1797

Abstract

Highlights: Eye lens is more radiosensitive than previously thought. A new occupational dose limit for the eye lens is currently being introduced. Over-couch fluoroscopic X-ray tube has been disseminated throughout Japan. Some physicians without proper radioprotective glass may exceed the revised dose limit for the eye lens. Implementation of measures to reduce eye lens dose during procedures are needed. Abstract: Purpose: This study aimed to measure the eye lens doses received by physicians and other medical staff participating in non-vascular imaging and interventional radiology procedures in Japan. Material and methods: From October 2014 to March 2017, 34 physicians and 29 other medical staff engaged in non-vascular imaging and interventional radiology procedures at 18 Japanese medical facilities. These professionals wore radioprotective lead glasses equipped with small, optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters and additional personal dosimeters at the neck during a 1-month monitoring period. The Hp (3) and the Hp (10) and Hp (0.07) were obtained from these devices, respectively. The monthly Hp (3), Hp (10), and Hp (0.07) for each physician and other medical staff member were then rescaled to a 12-month period to enable comparisons with the revised occupational equivalent dose limit for the eye lens. Results: Among physicians, the average annual Hp (3) values measured by the small luminescence dosimeters on radioprotective glasses were 25.5 ± 38.3 mSv/y (range: 0.4–166.8 mSv/y) and 9.3 ± 16.6 mSv/y (range: 0.3–82.4 mSv/y) on the left and right sides, respectively. The corresponding values for other medical staff were 3.7 ± 3.1 mSv/y (range: 0.4–10.4 mSv/y) and 3.2 ± 2.7 mSv/y (range: 0.5–11.5 mSv/y), respectively. Conclusions: The eye lens doses incurred by physicians and other medical staff who engaged in non-vascular imaging and interventional radiology procedures in Japan were provided. Physicians should wear radioprotective glasses and use additional radioprotective devices to reduce the amount of eye lens doses they receive.