Radiation injuries after fluoroscopic procedures

Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing Compared to Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Septal Pacing: Mid-term Results and Learning Curve

Our study evaluated the efficacy and feasibility of left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) compared to right ventricular outflow tract septal pacing (RVOSP). We conducted a prospective, single-center, observational study involving 200 consecutive patients who required pacemaker implantation. The patients were divided into two groups (LBBAP and RVOSP), with 100 patients in each group. We aimed to compare the safety and efficacy, as well as the procedure and fluoroscopy times, between the two groups. Additionally, we aimed to describe the learning curve for the LBBAP group. The success and acute complication rates were similar (P = .56 vs. P = .65). The procedure time was longer in the LBBAP group compared to the RVOSP group (18 [13-28] vs. 11 [7-17] min; P < .001), while the fluoroscopy time was shorter in the LBBAP group compared to the RVOSP group (2.8 [1.3-3.7] vs. 3.1 [2-5.9] min; P = .02). The paced QRS interval was narrower in the LBBAP group (123.77 ± 10.25 vs. 159.79 ± 17.0 ms; P = .001). There were no significant differences in pacing parameters like R-wave sensing (9.6 ± 5.2 vs. 9.1 ± 4.7 mV; P = .91), bipolar impedance (685.9 ± 151.8 vs. 686.5 ± 158.6 Ω; P = .98), or pacing threshold (0.70 ± 0.29 vs. 0.64 ± 0.26 V @ 0.4 ms; P = .63). In the LBBAP group, both the procedure time (12 [10.5-15] vs. 32 [28.5-38.5] min; P < .001) and the fluoroscopy time (2 [1-4.6] vs. 5.1 [3.4-12] min; P < .01) were shorter in the last quartile (Q4) compared to the first quartile (Q1). The procedure time was similar between LBBAP Q4 and RVOSP (12 [10.5-15] vs. 11 [7-17] min; P = .33). LBBAP is as safe as RVOSP and achieves a narrower paced QRS compared to RVOSP. After a rapid learning curve, a shorter fluoroscopy time and a similar procedure time can be achieved.

Typology, Severity, and Outcomes of Adverse Events Related to Angiographic Equipment-A Ten-Year Analysis of the FDA MAUDE Database

Purpose: Angiographic equipment is a key component of healthcare infrastructure, used for endovascular procedures throughout the body. The literature on adverse events related to this technology is limited. The purpose of this study was to analyze adverse events related to angiographic devices from the US Food and Drug Administration's Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database. Methods: MAUDE data on angiographic imaging equipment from July 2011 to July 2021 were extracted. Qualitative content analysis was performed, a typology of adverse events was derived, and this was used to classify the data. Outcomes were assessed using the Healthcare Performance Improvement (HPI) and Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) adverse event classifications. Results: There were 651 adverse events reported. Most were near misses (67%), followed by precursor safety events (20.5%), serious safety events (11.2%), and unclassifiable (1.2%). Events impacted patients (42.1%), staff (3.2%), both (1.2%), or neither (53.5%). The most common events associated with patient harm were intra-procedure system shut down, foot pedal malfunction, table movement malfunction, image quality deterioration, patient falls, and fluid damage to system. Overall, 34 (5.2%) events were associated with patient death; 18 during the procedure and 5 during patient transport to another angiographic suite/hospital due to critical failure of equipment. Conclusion: Adverse events related to angiographic equipment are rare; however, serious adverse events and deaths have been reported. This study has defined a typology of the most common adverse events associated with patient and staff harm. Increased understanding of these failures may lead to improved product design, user training, and departmental contingency planning.

Differential diagnosis of stage 2, 3 and 4 pressure injuries of the pelvis and lower extremity: a case series

Constant, unrelieved pressure of local tissue, particularly over bony prominences, may provoke damage that progresses to necrosis and pressure injury (PI). Differentiating PIs from conditions of similar appearance is imperative to minimising complications and implementing prompt treatment. This case series describes several conditions that may be mistaken for a PI. Outlined are the key differences in patient history, presentation and clinical cues that assist in correctly identifying the true pathology behind these conditions. Conditions reviewed included: pyoderma gangrenosum; necrotising fasciitis; genital herpes; Marjolin ulcer, Rosai-Dorfman disease; vascular disease; coagulopathies; calciphylaxis; trauma and surgical wounds; pilonidal cysts; graft-versus-host disease; hidradenitis suppurativa; Stevens-Johnson syndrome; epidermolysis bullosa; radiation wounds; spider bites; and end-of-life skin failure pressure ulcers (also known as Kennedy ulcers). Although commonly recognised and diagnosed, stage 2, 3 and 4 PIs occasionally prove to be difficult to pinpoint, with undefined characteristics and similarities in presentation to several other conditions. Therefore, it is clinically vital to be aware of their appearance, risk factors and aetiology in order to make an appropriate patient assessment and avoid misdiagnosis.

Echocardiography-Guided Percutaneous Patent Ductus Arteriosus Closure: 1-Year Single Center Experience in Indonesia

Introduction

Since the first successful percutaneous closure under transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) guidance, many centers explored transcatheter procedures without fluoroscopy. This single-center study is aimed to show the feasibility and safety of percutaneous patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure under echocardiography-only guidance during our 1-year experience.

Methods

Patients with PDA were recruited for percutaneous PDA closure guided by either fluoroscopy or echocardiography-only in National Cardiovascular Center Harapan Kita (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05321849, clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05321849). Patients were evaluated clinically and radiologically using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) at 6, 24, and 48 h after the procedure. The primary endpoint was the procedural success. Secondary endpoints were the procedural time and the rate of adverse events.

Results

A total of 60 patients underwent transcatheter PDA closure, 30 patients with fluoroscopy and 30 patients with echocardiography guidance. All patients had successful PDA closure. There were only residual shunts, which were disappeared after follow-up in both groups, but one patient with a fluoroscopy-guided procedure had moderate tricuspid regurgitation with suspected thrombus in the tricuspid valve. The procedural time was not significantly different between the fluoroscopy and echocardiography groups.

Cutaneous and local radiation injuries

The threat of a large-scale radiological or nuclear (R/N) incident looms in the present-day climate, as noted most recently in an editorial in Scientific American (March 2021). These large-scale incidents are infrequent but affect large numbers of people. Smaller-scale R/N incidents occur more often, affecting smaller numbers of people. There is more awareness of acute radiation syndrome (ARS) in the medical community; however, ionising radiation-induced injuries to the skin are much less understood. This article will provide an overview of radiation-induced injuries to the skin, deeper tissues, and organs. The history and nomenclature; types and causes of injuries; pathophysiology; evaluation and diagnosis; current medical management; and current research of the evaluation and management are presented. Cutaneous radiation injuries (CRI) or local radiation injuries (LRI) may lead to cutaneous radiation syndrome, a sub-syndrome of ARS. These injuries may occur from exposure to radioactive particles suspended in the environment (air, soil, water) after a nuclear detonation or an improvised nuclear detonation (IND), a nuclear power plant incident, or an encounter with a radioactive dispersal or exposure device. These incidents may also result in a radiation-combined injury; a chemical, thermal, or traumatic injury, with radiation exposure. Skin injuries from medical diagnostic and therapeutic imaging, medical misadministration of nuclear medicine or radiotherapy, occupational exposures (including research) to radioactive sources are more common but are not the focus of this manuscript. Diagnosis and evaluation of injuries are based on the scenario, clinical picture, and dosimetry, and may be assisted through advanced imaging techniques. Research-based multidisciplinary therapies, both in the laboratory and clinical trial environments, hold promise for future medical management. Great progress is being made in recognising the extent of injuries, understanding their pathophysiology, as well as diagnosis and management; however, research gaps still exist.

Reduction in ionizing radiation exposure during minimally invasive anterior plate osteosynthesis of distal radius fracture: Naive versus deliberate practice

This study aimed to decrease surgeon exposure to ionizing radiation through a new learning technique, "deliberate practice", which consists in improving performance by setting goals with feedback. The hypothesis was that exposure to ionizing radiation during distal radius fracture surgery using the minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) technique decreased faster with "deliberate" practice than with "naïve" practice. Radiographic dosimetry was measured in the first 30 fractures operated on by MIPO by 6 surgeons. The first 3 surgeons operated "naively" (Group 1) and the next 3 according to the "deliberate" procedure (Group 2). Group 2 received weekly feedback (number of exposed hands, number of fluoroscopic views, exposure duration, and X-ray dose). An expert, using fluoroscopic images and surgical videos, provided suggestions for improvement. Mean number of exposed hands was 23.66 in Group 1 and 1.9 in Group 2. Mean number of fluoroscopic views was 78.31 and 35.0, respectively. Mean X-ray exposure time was 74.34 and 32.89 s, respectively. Mean dosimetry was 1.40 mGy (and 0.59 mGy, respectively. The hypothesis was thus confirmed: dosimetry decreased faster in Group 2 than in Group 1. Teaching this deliberate practice should be generalized, to decrease the growth phase and increase the plateau phase of the learning curve.

Chromosome aberration dynamics in breast cancer patients treated with radiotherapy: Implications for radiation biodosimetry

Although radiological accidents often result in partial-body radiation exposure, most biodosimetry studies focus on estimating whole-body exposure doses. We have evaluated time-dependent changes in chromosomal aberrations before, during, and after localized fractionated radiotherapy. Twelve patients with carcinoma in situ of the breast who underwent identical adjuvant radiation therapy (50 Gy in 25 fractions) were included in the study. Lymphocytes were collected from patients before, during, and after radiotherapy, to measure chromosome aberrations, such as dicentric chromosomes and translocations. Chromosome aberrations were then used to calculate whole- and partial-body biological absorbed doses of radiation. Dicentric chromosome frequencies in all study participants increased during radiotherapy (p < 0.05 in Kruskal-Wallis test). Increases of translocation frequencies during radiotherapy were observed in seven of the twelve patients. The increased levels of dicentric chromosomes and translocations persisted throughout our 1-year follow-up, and evidence of partial-body exposure (such as Papworth's U-value > 1.96) was observed more than 1 year after radiotherapy. We found that cytogenetic biomarkers reflected partial-body fractionated radiation exposure more than 1 year post-exposure. Our findings suggest that chromosome aberrations can be used to estimate biological absorbed radiation doses and can inform medical intervention for individuals suspected of fractionated or partial-body radiation exposure.

BENCHMARKING THE DOSE MAP SOFTWARE FOR CLINICAL IMPLEMENTATION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF A LOCAL FOLLOW-UP PROTOCOL FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF SKIN INJURES FOLLOWING COMPLEX INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY PROCEDURES

This paper aims to validate the accuracy of the peak skin dose (Dskin,max) computed by the Dose Map software (DMS)-general electric and establish a local follow-up protocol for the management of patient skin injuries following complex interventional cardiology procedures (ICPs). Dskin,max was computed by the DMS and was simultaneously measured by a dense mesh of 72 thermoluminescent dosemeters for 20 ICP. Measured and computed Dskin,max were compared using Lin's concordance coefficient (${\rho}_c$). The implementation of a local follow-up strategy was based on a computed Dskin,max of 2 Gy. After eliminating 2 outliers, the average deviation between the two methods was 6% (range: -36 to +40%). Concordance between the two methods was moderate with ${\rho}_c$ (confidence interval) of 0.9128 (0.8541-0.9486). DMS computes Dskin,max with an acceptable accuracy and can be used to setup an individual follow-up process for patients with high skin exposure and risks.

Development of a Patient-specific Guide for High Cervical Spine Fixation

Objective

High cervical spine fixation represents a challenge for spine surgeons due to the complex anatomy and the risks of vascular and medullar injury. The recent advances in 3-D printing have unfolded a whole new range of options for these surgeons.

Methods

In the present study, a guide for the placement of the lateral mass screw in the C1 vertebra was developed using 3-D printing. Eight real-size models of the high cervical spine and their respective screw guides were built using computed tomography (CT) scan images. The guidewires were inserted with the help of the printed guides and then the models were analyzed with the help of CT scan images.

Results

All of the guidewires in the present study obtained a safe placement in the models, avoiding the superior and inferior articular surfaces, the vertebral foramen, and the vertebral artery.

Conclusion

The present study demonstrated the efficiency of the guide, a reliable tool for aiding the insertion of guidewires for screws in lateral masses of the C1.

A dosimetric study of skin toxicity induced by 3-D conventional and intensity-modulated radiotherapy techniques using immobilization mask for treatment of head-and-neck (nasopharyngeal cancer) carcinoma: a prospective study

Background

The purpose of this study was to investigate variations in surface dose, with and without the use of a Klarity® Mask (Orfit Industries America, Wijnegem, Belgium), using intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and 3-D conventional radiotherapy (3D-CRT).

Materials and methods

Thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) together with a phantom were used to examine acute skin toxicity during nasopharyngeal cancer treatment. These plans were sequentially delivered to the perspex phantom. Dosimeters were placed in five fixed regions over the skin. A Klarity mask for immobilization was used for covering the head, neck, and shoulder. The phantom was irradiated with and without a Klarity Mask, using IMRT and 3D-CRT, respectively.

Results

The Klarity mask increased the skin doses for IMRT and 3D-CRT approximately 18·6% and 8·6%, respectively, from the prescribed maximum skin dose using treatment planning system (TPS). Additionally, the average percentage dose between IMRT and 3D-CRT received on the surface region was 30·9%, 24·9% with and without Klarity mask respectively. The average percentage dose received on surfaces from the total therapeutic dose 70 Gy, without using the mask was 7·7% and 5·7%, for IMRT and 3D-CRT, respectively. The TPS overestimated the skin dose for IMRT planning by 20%, and for 3D-CRT by 16·6%, compared with TLD measurements.

Conclusions

The results of this study revealed that IMRT significantly increases acute skin toxicity, compared with CRT. Although it is recommended to use Klarity mask as a sparing tool of normal tissue, it increases the risk of skin toxicity. In conclusion, skin dose is an important issue of focus during radiotherapy.

Radiation Exposure in Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion: The Effect of the Learning Curve

Background

Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MI-TLIF) has comparable fusion rates and outcomes to the open approach, though many surgeons avoid the technique due to an initial learning curve. No current studies have examined the learning curve of MI-TLIF with respect to fluoroscopy time and exposure. Our objective with this retrospective review was to therefore use a repeatable mathematical model to evaluate the learning curve of MI-TLIF with a focus on fluoroscopy time and exposure.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of single level, primary fusions performed by a single surgeon during his initial experience with minimally invasive spine surgery. Chronologic case number was plotted against variables of interest, and learning was identified as the point at which the instantaneous rate of change of a curve fit to the data set equaled the average rate of change of the data set.

Results

One hundred nine cases were reviewed. Proficiency in operative time was achieved at 38 cases with the first 38 requiring a median of 137 minutes compared to 104 minutes for the latter 71 cases (P < .0001). Mastery of fluoroscopy use occurred at case 51. The median fluoroscopy time for the first 51 cases was 2.8 minutes, which dropped to 2.1 minutes for cases 52 to 109 (P < .0001). The complication rate plateaued after 43 cases, with 3 of 11 total complications occurring in the latter 76 cases.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate the most gradual learning occurred with respect to fluoroscopy time and exposure, and operative time improved the quickest.

Level of Evidence

IV.

Clinical Relevance

These findings may guide spine surgeon education and training in minimally invasive techniques, and help determine safe case loads for radiation exposure during the initial learning phase of the technique. The model used to identify the learning curve can also be applied to several fields and surgical techniques.

Estimation and clinical verification of the effective and skin doses for pediatric and adult patients undergoing the cardiac interventional examination using five PMMA phantoms and TLD/ionization chamber technique

BACKGROUND

Effective and skin doses gain much attention since the cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL) is a place where both patients and medical staff are exposed to X-ray or fluoroscopy environment and gain a cumulative dose during the cardiac interventional procedure.

OBJECTIVE

These doses for pediatric and adult patients undergone cardiac interventional examination using five PMMA phantoms and thermoluminescence dosimeter (TLD)/ionization chamber technique were estimated in this work with the further clinical verification.

METHODS

Five PMMA phantoms (10, 30, 50, 70, and 90 kg) were customized to represent baby, child, adult female, adult male, and overweight adult (by Asian complexion standards), respectively, in accordance with the ICRU-48 report. Each phantom could be disassembled into 31 plates to insert TLD chips for measuring X-ray exposed dose or assisted with an auxiliary plate to insert high-sensitivity ionization chamber for surveying low-energy fluoroscopy dose.

RESULTS

The data acquired from five phantoms were integrated into four semi-empirical formulas, in order to fit the binary quadratic form "Dose = A⋅BMI2+B⋅DAP2+C⋅BMI+ D⋅DAP+E". The latter linked the X-ray and fluoroscopy effective/skin doses, respectively, with a high coefficient of determination R2(from 0.888 to 0.986).

CONCLUSIONS

The model refinement with DAP share adjustment is envisaged.

Radiation risk amongst orthopaedic surgeons - Do we know the risk?

Radiation risk amongst orthopaedic surgeons and theatre personnel is increasing with increased use of fluoroscopy imaging. Increased radiation risk has been shown to be associated with an increased risk of malignancies, ocular and thyroid disorders. Very high exposures have been reported in spinal surgery and during intra-medullary nailing. With an increase in modern and percutaneous methods, the use of intra-operative fluoroscopy has increased as well. The aim of this article was to review the available evidence of radiation risk amongst healthcare personnel. A systematic search was carried out in PubMED, CINAHL and Cochrane on intra-operative radiation in trauma and orthopaedic operating room. Inclusion criteria were clinical studies and systematic reviews reporting on radiation exposure, fluoroscopy time and references to specific safety guidelines. This article highlights the safety aspects of radiation protection and harmful effects of radiation during orthopaedic procedures. The responsibility to minimise radiation exposure in operating theatre lies with the team within the operating room.

Evaluation of thermoplastic Klarity mask use during intensity-modulated radiation therapy for head and neck carcinoma

Aim

To evaluate the Klarity® Mask with respect to skin doses and toxicity secondary to head and neck cancer radiation treatment.

Materials and methods

This prospective study included five nasopharyngeal cancer patients who underwent intensity-modulated radiation therapy and monitored for skin toxicity. An anatomical Perspex head and neck phantom was designed and used. All patients’ treatment plans were separately transferred to the phantom. Dosimetric measurements were performed using chip-shaped thermoluminescent dosimeters (LiF:Mg,Ti TLDs) which were distributed at certain target points on the phantom. Phantom was irradiated twicely with and without a Klarity® Mask. Three fractions for each patient plan were obtained and compared with treatment planning system (TPS) doses as guided by computed tomography.

Results

The Klarity mask used for patient immobilisation increased the surface dose by 10·83% more than that without the mask. The average variations between skin dose measurements with and without the Klarity mask for all patients’ plans ranged from 10·26 to 11·83%. TPS overestimated the surface dose by 19·13% when compared with thermoluminescent dosimeters that measured the direct skin dose.

Conclusions

Klarity immobilisation mask increases skin doses, as a consequence, surface dose measurements should be monitored and must be taken into account.

Radiation-Induced Skin Injuries to Patients: What the Interventional Radiologist Needs to Know

For a long time, radiation-induced skin injuries were only encountered in patients undergoing radiation therapy. In diagnostic radiology, radiation exposures of patients causing skin injuries were extremely rare. The introduction of fast multislice CT scanners and fluoroscopically guided interventions (FGI) changed the situation. Both methods carry the risk of excessive high doses to the skin of patients resulting in skin injuries. In the early nineties, several reports of epilation and skin injuries following CT brain perfusion studies were published. During the same time, several papers reported skin injuries following FGI, especially after percutaneous coronary interventions and neuroembolisations. Thus, CT and FGI are of major concern regarding radiation safety since both methods can apply doses to patients exceeding 5 Gy (National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements threshold for substantial radiation dose level). This paper reviews the problem of skin injuries observed after FGI. Also, some practical advices are given how to effectively avoid skin injuries. In addition, guidelines are discussed how to deal with patients who were exposed to a potentially dangerous radiation skin dose during medically justified interventional procedures.

A novel radiation protection device based on tungsten functional paper for application in interventional radiology

Tungsten functional paper (TFP), which contains 80% tungsten by weight, has radiation‐shielding properties. We investigated the use of TFP for the protection of operators during interventional or therapeutic angiography. The air kerma rate of scattered radiation from a simulated patient was measured, with and without TFP, using a water‐equivalent phantom and fixed C‐arm fluoroscopy. Measurements were taken at the level of the operator's eye, chest, waist, and knee, with a variable number of TFP sheets used for shielding. A Monte Carlo simulation was also utilized to analyze the dose rate delivered with and without the TFP shielding. In cine mode, when the number of TFP sheets was varied through 1, 2, 3, 5, and 10, the respective reduction in the air kerma rate relative to no TFP shielding was as follows: at eye level, 24.9%, 29.9%, 41.6%, 50.4%, and 56.2%; at chest level, 25.3%, 33.1%, 34.9%, 46.1%, and 44.3%; at waist level, 45.1%, 57.0%, 64.4%, 70.7%, and 75.2%; and at knee level, 2.1%, 2.2%, 2.1%, 2.1%, and 2.1%. In fluoroscopy mode, the respective reduction in the air kerma rate relative to no TFP shielding was as follows: at eye level, 24.8%, 30.3%, 34.8%, 51.1%, and 58.5%; at chest level, 25.8%, 33.4%, 35.5%, 45.2%, and 44.4%; at waist level, 44.6%, 56.8%, 64.7%, 71.7%, and 77.2%; and at knee level, 2.2%, 0.0%, 2.2%, 2.8%, and 2.5%. The TFP paper exhibited good radiation‐shielding properties against the scattered radiation encountered in clinical settings, and was shown to have potential application in decreasing the radiation exposure to the operator during interventional radiology.

The radiation safety education and the pain physicians' efforts to reduce radiation exposure

BACKGROUND

C-arm fluoroscopy equipment is important for interventional pain management and can cause radiation injury to physicians and patients. We compared radiation safety education and efforts to reduce the radiation exposure of pain specialists.

METHODS

A survey of 49 pain specialists was conducted anonymously in 2016. The questionnaire had 16 questions. That questionnaire was about radiation safety knowledge and efforts to reduce exposure. We investigated the correlation between radiation safety education and efforts of radiation protection. We compared the results from 2016 and a published survey from 2011.

RESULTS

According to the 2016 survey, all respondents used C-arm fluoroscopy in pain interventions. Nineteen respondents (39%) had received radiation safety education. Physicians had insufficient knowledge about radiation safety. When the radiation safety education group and the non-education group are compared, there was no significant difference in efforts to reduce radiation exposure and radiation safety knowledge. When the 2011 and 2016 surveys were compared, the use of low dose mode (P = 0.000) and pulsed mode had increased significantly (P = 0.001). The number checking for damage to radiation protective garments (P = 0.000) and use of the dosimeter had also increased significantly (P = 0.009). But there was no significant difference in other efforts to reduce radiation exposure.

CONCLUSIONS

Pain physicians seem to lack knowledge of radiation safety and the number of physicians receiving radiation safety education is low. According to this study, education does not lead to practice. Therefore, pain physicians should receive regular radiation safety education and the education should be mandatory.

Prediction of the drilling path to surgically pin the femoral neck from the spatial location of pelvic and femoral anatomical landmarks: A cadaver validation study

Several clinical applications rely on accurate guiding information when drilling along the femoral neck (e.g., pin insertion in case of neck fracture). Currently, applications rely on real-time X-ray imaging, which results in irradiation issues for the surgeon conducting the operation. The goal of this paper was to develop an X-ray-free method that would allow for a pathway to be drilled between the lateral aspect of the femoral diaphysis (the so-called piercing point), the femoral neck and the head centres. The method is based on on-the-fly computational predictions relying on a biomechanical database that includes morphological data related to the femoral neck and head and various palpable anatomical landmarks located on the pelvis and the femoral bone. From the spatial location of the anatomical landmarks, scalable multiple regressions allow for the prediction of the most optimal drilling pathway. The method has been entirely validated using in vitro experiments that reproduce surgical conditions. Further, a surgical ancillary prototype that integrates the method of guiding the pin drilling has been developed and used during in vitro and in situ validation using nine hip joints. Pin insertion was controlled after drilling using medical imaging and show successful result for each of the nine trials. The mean accuracy of the estimated hip joint centre and neck orientation was 6.0 ± 2.8mm and 7.1 ± 3.8°, respectively.

Predictors of Excess Patient Radiation Exposure During Chronic Total Occlusion Coronary Intervention: Insights From a Contemporary Multicentre Registry

BACKGROUND

High patient radiation dose during chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) might lead to procedural failure and radiation skin injury.

METHODS

We examined the association between several clinical and angiographic variables on patient air kerma (AK) radiation dose among 748 consecutive CTO PCIs performed at 9 experienced US centres between May 2012 and May 2015.

RESULTS

The mean age was 65 ± 10 years, 87% of patients were men, and 35% had previous coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Technical and procedural success was 92% and 90%, respectively. The median patient AK dose was 3.40 (interquartile range, 2.00-5.40) Gy and 34% of the patients received > 4.8 Gy (high radiation exposure). In univariable analysis male sex (P = 0.016), high body mass index (P < 0.001), history of hyperlipidemia (P = 0.023), previous CABG (P < 0.001), moderate or severe calcification (P < 0.001), tortuosity (P < 0.001), proximal cap ambiguity (P = 0.001), distal cap at a bifurcation (P = 0.006), longer CTO occlusion length (P < 0.001), blunt/no blunt stump (P < 0.001), and centre (P < 0.001) were associated with higher patient AK dose. In multivariable analysis high body mass index (P < 0.001), previous CABG (P = 0.005), moderate or severe calcification (P = 0.005), longer CTO occlusion length (P < 0.001), and centre (P < 0.001) were independently associated with higher patient AK dose.

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately 1 in 3 patients who undergo CTO PCI receive high AK radiation dose (> 4.8 Gy). Several baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics can help predict the likelihood of high radiation dose and assist with intensifying efforts to reduce radiation exposure for the patient and the operator.

Patient Characteristics and the Incidence of Radiation-induced Dermatitis Following Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation

Background and Objectives

Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) exposes patients to fixed angle radiation for extended periods of time. We investigated the incidence and characteristics of radiation-induced dermatitis (RID) associated with RFCA.

Subjects and Methods

We screened 1347 consecutive patients from 2000 to 2011 who underwent RFCA for any indication and reviewed patients with dermatologic issues at the 1-month follow-up. Skin lesions were classified into three groups: most likely RID, probable RID, and possible RID.

Results

Of the 1347 enrolled patients, 12 (0.89%) experienced dermatologic issues within 1 month after RFCA, including six patients (0.45%) clinically classified as 'most likely RID' and four patients (0.30%) with 'probable RID'. Ten patients, including most likely RID or probable RID patients, developed skin lesions on the right back and upper arm. Skin lesions did not improve without meticulous treatment, and three cases required surgical intervention. We compared the RID group to the remaining 1335 patients (normal group). The mean body mass indices (BMIs) of the RID and normal groups were 29.3 and 23.9 kg/m², respectively (p<0.001). Radiation exposure times were longer in the RID group (180±31.0 vs. 47±49.9 minutes, p<0.001). We further analyzed 44 patients (6 RID cases and 38 normal patients) that had BMIs >26 kg/m² and exposure times >115 minutes based on receiver operator characteristic curve analyses. Among the 35 patients without RID, 29 patients (82.9%) did not use biplane fluoroscopy.

Conclusions

Patients with high BMIs have a higher risk of developing severe RID with increasing fluoroscopy times using biplane fluoroscopy.

Radiodermatitis after spinal arteriovenous fistula embolisation

We report acute radiation dermatitis on a patient's back and left arm, which developed 4 weeks after endovascular embolisation of a spinal arteriovenous malformation. Vesciculation and erosions were followed by a gradual re-epithelisation of the skin resulting in rectangular hyperpigmented patches that resolved almost completely within 1 month. Fluoroscopic radiodermatitis has been reported with more frequency over the past decades because of the rise in duration and number of procedures performed under fluoroscopic guidance. Articles concerning this issue are mostly limited to case reports after coronary interventions, renal artery catheterisations, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt procedures and embolisations of intracranial arteriovenous malformation. To the best of our knowledge, only two cases of radiation dermatitis after spinal arteriovenous malformation embolisation have been reported to date.

Predictors of radiation-induced skin toxicity in nasopharyngeal cancer patients treated by intensity-modulated radiation therapy: a prospective study

Purposes

Exposure of skin to high doses of radiation may lead to the development of erythematous skin changes. The aims of this study were to measure skin doses and to identify potential factors that may contribute to skin reactions in nasopharyngeal cancer patients undergoing intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).

Material and methods

This study was a prospective study with 21 nasopharyngeal cancer patients treated by IMRT. Personal data were collected and in vivo skin dose measurements were performed using Thermoluminescent dosimeters. All patients were monitored clinically and skin reactions were classified according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group criteria. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences Software to identify skin toxicity risk factors.

Results

Grade 1 toxicity was observed in eight patients, Grade 2 in 11 patients and Grade 3 in two patients towards the end of treatment. It was found that accumulative skin doses >7 Gy (p<0·05) was a risk factor for skin toxicity. However, previous or concomitant chemotherapy with radiotherapy and stage of cancer were not significant factors for the severity of skin reactions.

Conclusion

The neck skin should be identified as a sensitive structure for dose optimisation. Skin dose measurement and skin-sparing techniques are highly recommended for head and neck patients treated with IMRT.

A preliminary study on surgical navigation for epiduroscopic laser neural decompression

Epiduroscopic laser neural decompression is an emerging therapeutic modality to treat lumbar spine pathologies including chronic low back pain, spinal stenosis, and disk herniation via catheter insertion followed by laser ablation of the lesion. Despite the efficacy of epiduroscopic laser neural decompression, excessive radiation doses due to fluoroscopy during epiduroscopic laser neural decompression have limited its widespread application. To address the issue, we propose a surgical navigation system to assist in epiduroscopic laser neural decompression procedures using radiation-free image guidance. An electromagnetic tracking system was used as the basic modality to track the internal location of the surgical instrument with respect to the patient body. Patient-to-image registration was carried out using the point-based registration method to determine the transformation between the coordinate system of the patient and that of the medical images. We applied the proposed system in epiduroscopic laser neural decompression procedures to assess its effectiveness, and the outcomes confirmed its clinical feasibility. To the best of our knowledge, this is a report on the first surgical navigation applied for epiduroscopic laser neural decompression procedure.

Review of the Clinical Use of Fluoroscopy in Hand Surgery

Fluoroscopy is a commonly used tool in hand surgery. There have been recent advances in the technology and its clinical utilisation. Indications include assessment of joint and fracture fixation and stability, particularly when combined with minimally invasive techniques. Recent developments include surgeon operated mini C-arm image intensifiers. We present a review of the clinical utilisation of fluoroscopy in hand surgery including recent developments, Australian legislation, safety issues, strategies to reduce radiation exposure and clinical examples for imaging distal radius and scaphoid fracture fixation.

Reducing patient radiation exposure during paediatric SVT ablations: use of CARTO® 3 in concert with "ALARA" principles profoundly lowers total dose

BACKGROUND

"ALARA--As Low As Reasonably Achievable" protocols reduce patient radiation dose. Addition of electroanatomical mapping may further reduce dose.

METHODS

From 6/11 to 4/12, a novel ALARA protocol was utilised for all patients undergoing supraventricular tachycardia ablation, including low frame rates (2-3 frames/second), low fluoro dose/frame (6-18 nGy/frame), and other techniques to reduce fluoroscopy (ALARA). From 6/12 to 3/13, use of CARTO® 3 (C3) with "fast anatomical mapping" (ALARA+C3) was added to the ALARA protocol. Intravascular echo was not utilised. Demographics, procedural, and radiation data were analysed and compared between the two protocols.

RESULTS

A total of 75 patients were included: 42 ALARA patients, and 33 ALARA+C3 patients. Patient demographics were similar between the two groups. The acute success rate in ALARA was 95%, and 100% in ALARA+C3; no catheterisation-related complications were observed. Procedural time was 125.7 minutes in the ALARA group versus 131.4 in ALARA+C3 (p=0.36). Radiation doses were significantly lower in the ALARA+C3 group with a mean air Kerma in ALARA+C3 of 13.1±28.3 mGy (SD) compared with 93.8±112 mGy in ALARA (p<0.001). Mean dose area product was 92.2±179 uGym2 in ALARA+C3 compared with 584±687 uGym2 in ALARA (p<0.001). Of the 33 subjects (42%) in the ALARA+C3 group, 14 received ⩽1 mGy exposure. The ALARA+C3 dosages are the lowest reported for a combined electroanatomical-fluoroscopy technique.

CONCLUSIONS

Addition of CARTO® 3 to ALARA protocols markedly reduced radiation exposure to young people undergoing supraventricular tachycardia ablation while allowing for equivalent procedural efficacy and safety.

Radiation safety knowledge and practices among urology residents and fellows: results of a nationwide survey

INTRODUCTION

Reliance upon fluoroscopy within urology is increasing, with urologists key in determining radiation exposure to patients, themselves, and other healthcare personnel. However, education in occupational radiation safety is nonstandardized, often lacking. Consequently, residents and practicing urologists risk overexposure. We assessed occupational radiation safety attitudes and practices of training urologists.

METHODS

A confidential, anonymous, internet-based survey on workplace radiation safety practices was distributed to residents and fellows via program directors identified from the American College of Graduate Medical Education and the American Osteopathic Association. Items explored included sources of education on occupational radiation exposure, knowledge of occupational dose limits, exposure frequency, and protective item utilization. Investigators were blinded to responses.

RESULTS

Overall, 165 trainees responded, almost all of whom reported at least weekly workplace radiation exposure. Compliance with body and thyroid shields was high at 99% and 73%, respectively. Almost no one used lead-lined glasses and gloves; three-quarters cited lack of availability. The principle of keeping radiation doses As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) was widely practiced (88%). However, 70% of respondents never used dosimeters, while 56% never had one issued. Only 53% felt adequately trained in radiation safety; this number was 30% among those pregnant during training. Fewer than half (46%) correctly identified the maximum acceptable annual physician exposure. Departmental education in radiation safety improved knowledge, protective practices, monitoring, and satisfaction with education in radiation exposure.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings show that protective equipment usage and occupational radiation monitoring for the training urologist are insufficient. Despite frequent exposure, resident education in radiation safety was found lacking. Efforts should be made to address these deficiencies on a local and national level.

Real-time multipoint gastrointestinal 19-fluorine catheter tracking

PURPOSE

To develop MR based real-time gastrointestinal 19-Fluorine (19F) catheter tracking and visualization allowing for real-time detection and feedback of 3D catheter shape and movement as well as catheter-driven adjustments of 1H imaging geometry parameters.

METHODS

Data were acquired on a 3T clinical system using 3D Golden Angle radial sampling. Two gastrointestinal catheters incorporating four fiducial 19F markers (65 or 50 µL marker volume) were tracked while being pulled through a gel phantom by an operator inside the MR room with velocities of 2-18 mm/s. During continuous acquisition, k-space profiles were transferred in real-time to an external computer for concurrent reconstruction of 3D 19F images and detection and visualization of marker positions. Based on αthe marker positions, automatic adjustments of 1H imaging planes to facilitate targeted anatomical scanning was implemented.

RESULTS

Mean tracking reliabilities were 94.5 and 83.6% (catheters 1 and 2) for temporal resolutions 185-740 ms. Reconstruction times of 196 ms were achieved. Real-time visual feedback allowed the operator to accurately control the catheter movement. Catheter-guidance for 1H imaging was reliable.

CONCLUSION

The presented real-time 19F MR based framework for the tracking of 19F labeled devices is applicable to combined 19F and 1H MRI guidance of gastrointestinal devices in vivo.

Occult radiation injury following angiographic procedures: recognition and treatment of an evolving complication

As the indications for fluoroscopically guided procedures increase, so do the potential complications from radiation. Radiation-induced wounds can have an insidious onset and time course that the plastic surgeon and wound specialist must be able to identify early. We review 3 cases of radiation-induced wounds following fluoroscopic procedures, which presented at various stages of diagnosis and healing. The pathophysiology of these wounds is discussed to aid in their diagnosis by providing an understanding of the resultant time course of injury and characteristics of the wounds. In addition, a familiarity of the concepts of interventional procedures and an increased element of caution in those patients most susceptible to injury is critical for prevention. Finally, an appropriate treatment protocol is proposed including early diagnosis, local wound care, hyperbaric oxygen, en bloc resection of the affected tissue, and reconstruction with tissue outside the zone of injury for recalcitrant or late stage wounds.

[X-ray in trauma and orthopedic surgery. Physical and biological impact, reasonable use, and radiation protection in the operating room]

Orthopedic and especially trauma surgeons' use of x-rays during operations vary extensively, especially in minimally invasive osteosynthesis procedures. Radiation hazards often are neglected. In this paper, a short overview of physical and biological effects of radiation are given. In addition, practical information about how to lower radiation exposure in the daily work in the operating room (OR) is given. The operating team is exposed mainly to scattered radiation. The radiation exposure is 10 times higher on the tube side than on the amplifier side. The distance between tube and surgeon must be as great as possible. The tube should be positioned under the OR table, and the distance between tube and patient should be as short as possible. The positioning of the C-arm device without radiation is important. The use of patient landmarks is used to position the C-arm over the region of interest, but the preoperative training of surgeons and team with virtual learning tools, e.g., virtX, is very effective in reducing radiation hazards.

Patient doses in interventional cardiology in Bosnia and Herzegovina: first results

Cardiologists at the Cardiac Centre of the Clinical Centre of Sarajevo University performed invasive cardiology procedures in one room equipped with a Siemens Coroskop (Siemens Healthcare, Erlangen, Germany) unit with the possibility of digital cine imaging. The number of procedures performed with this unit is 1126 per year. The number of adults performing only diagnostic procedures is 816, therapeutic procedures 62 and both diagnostic and therapeutic 228. Twenty diagnostic examinations but no therapeutic procedure are performed on children per year. The workload is increasing year by year, with an average increase of 26 % per year. The X-ray system does not have a kerma area product (KAP) meter installed; therefore an external KAP meter was mounted on the X-ray tube. Gafchromic dosimetry films (International Specialty Products, Wayne, USA) were placed under the patient to record the skin dose distribution. The peak skin dose (PSD) was calculated from the maximum optical density of the dosimetry films. Dose measurements were performed on 51 patients undergoing therapeutic procedures (percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and stent placement). Two patients received doses (KAP) larger than 100 Gycm(2). The PSD was higher than 1 Gy in 3 out of 16 evaluations, and one of these patients received a skin dose >2 Gy. No deterministic skin effects were recorded. The dosimetry results are similar to results reported in other countries. Invasive cardiac procedures deliver high doses to the skin that could cause deterministic effects (erythema). Physicians performing these procedures should be aware of these risks. More efforts should be put into the training of cardiologists in radiation protection.

Evaluation of a bifurcation drug-eluting stent system versus provisional T-stenting in a perfused synthetic coronary artery model

BACKGROUND

Provisional T-stenting is a widely used strategy for the treatment of coronary artery bifurcation lesions. However, the use of conventional stents in this setting is limited by multiple factors; this includes technical considerations such as wire wrap when accessing the involved vessel, and stent overlap at or near the carina of the lesion. In addition, current slotted tube stent technology tends to be associated with gaps in the coverage of the side branch ostium, which may result in restenosis in that segment of the lesion. The Pathfinder device, now more commonly referred to as the Xience Side Branch Access System (Xience SBA) is a drug-eluting stent (DES) designed specifically to assist in the treatment of bifurcation lesions by allowing wire access into the side branch, irrespective of the treatment strategy to be employed.

METHODS

The Xience SBA drug-eluting stent was compared with the standard Vision coronary stent system using a provisional T-stenting strategy in a perfused synthetic model of the coronary vasculature with side branch angulations of 30 degrees , 50 degrees , 70 degrees , and 90 degrees . Stent delivery was performed under fluoroscopic guidance. Following the procedure, high-resolution 2D Faxitron imaging was used to evaluate deployment accuracy of the side branch stent relative to the main branch stent.

RESULTS

Deployment of the Xience SBA was accomplished in the same total time as the standard stents in a provisional T-stenting approach (14.9 vs. 14.6 minutes). However, the time required to achieve stent deployment in the main branch was less with the Xience SBA (4.0 vs. 6.6 minutes), and as a result, total contrast usage (49.4 vs. 69.4 cm(3)) and fluoroscopy time (5.1 vs. 6.2 minutes) was lower. Additionally, the Xience SBA had a lower incidence of wire wrap (22% vs. 89%) and less distal protrusion of the side branch stent into the main branch (0.54 vs. 1.21 mm). Significant gaps in ostial side branch coverage were not seen in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

The Xience Side Branch Access DES is a viable device for consistently accessing coronary bifurcation lesions; it allows for easy wire access into the side branch. This may assist the operator in overcoming those well-recognized limitations associated with use of standard one- or two-stent strategies. In this perfused synthetic coronary model, Xience SBA deployment required less contrast usage and shorter fluoroscopy times. Further testing of this device is warranted.

Radiation injury is potentially a severe consequence of fluoroscopically guided complex interventions

Fluoroscopically guided interventions and radiation injury: Is physician training in radiation management adequate? Radiation injury from fluoroscopically guided complex medical interventions is relatively rare but sometimes seriously debilitating. This manuscript provides a summary of their occurrence. The question is raised as to whether or not the seriousness of these radiation effects and their underlying causes are sufficient justification to warrant new proposals on how to credential physicians before they are declared qualified to perform complex interventional procedures.

Radiation injury is a potentially serious complication to fluoroscopically-guided complex interventions

Radiation-induced injury to skin is an infrequent but potentially serious complication to complex fluoroscopically-guided interventional procedures. Due to a lack of experience with such injuries, the medical community has found fluoroscopically-induced injuries difficult to diagnose. Injuries have occurred globally in many countries. Serious injuries most frequently occur on the back but have also occurred on the neck, buttocks and anterior of the chest. Severities of injuries range from skin rashes and epilation to necrosis of the skin and its underlying structures. This article reviews the characteristics of these injuries and some actions that can be taken to reduce their likelihood or seriousness.

Comparison of entrance exposure and signal-to-noise ratio between an SBDX prototype and a wide-beam cardiac angiographic system

The scanning-beam digital x-ray (SBDX) system uses an inverse geometry, narrow x-ray beam, and a 2-mm thick CdTe detector to improve the dose efficiency of the coronary angiographic procedure. Entrance exposure and large-area iodine signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were measured with the SBDX prototype and compared to that of a clinical cardiac interventional system with image intensifier (II) and charge coupled device (CCD) camera (Philips H5000, MRC-200 x-ray tube, 72 kWp max). Phantoms were 18.6-35.0 cm acrylic with an iohexol-equivalent disk placed at midthickness (35 mg/cm2 iodine radiographic density). Imaging was performed at 15 frame/s, with the disk at mechanical isocenter and an 11-cm object-plane field width. The II/CCD system was operated in cine mode with automatic exposure control. With the SBDX prototype at maximum x-ray output (120 kVp, 24.3 kWp), the SBDX SNR was 107%-69% of the II/CCD SNR, depending on phantom thickness, and the SBDX entrance exposure rate was 10.7-9.3 R/min (9.4-8.2 cGy/min air kerma). For phantoms where an equal-kVp imaging comparison was possible (> or = 23.3 cm), the SBDX SNR ranged from 47% to 69% of the II/CCD SNR while delivering 6% to 9% of the II/CCD entrance exposure rate. From these measurements it was determined that the relative SBDX entrance exposure at equal SNR would be 31%-16%. Results were consistent with a model for relative entrance exposure at equal SNR, which predicted a 3-7 times reduction in entrance exposure due to SBDX's comparatively low scatter fraction (5.5%-8.1% measured, including off-focus radiation), high detector detective quantum efficiency (66%-73%, measured from 70 to 120 kVp), and large entrance field area (1.7x - 2.3x, for the same object-plane field width). With improvements to the system geometry, detector, and x-ray source, SBDX technology is projected to achieve conventional cine-quality SNR over a full range of patient thicknesses, with 5-10 times lower skin dose.

Incidence of haematopoietic malignancies in US radiologic technologists

BACKGROUND

There are limited data on risks of haematopoietic malignancies associated with protracted low-to-moderate dose radiation.

AIMS

To contribute the first incidence risk estimates for haematopoietic malignancies in relation to work history, procedures, practices, and protective measures in a large population of mostly female medical radiation workers.

METHODS

The investigators followed up 71,894 (77.9% female) US radiologic technologists, first certified during 1926-80, from completion of a baseline questionnaire (1983-89) to return of a second questionnaire (1994-98), diagnosis of a first cancer, death, or 31 August 1998 (731,306 person-years), whichever occurred first. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to compute risks.

RESULTS

Relative risks (RR) for leukaemias other than chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (non-CLL, 41 cases) were increased among technologists working five or more years before 1950 (RR = 6.6, 95% CI 1.0 to 41.9, based on seven cases) or holding patients 50 or more times for x ray examination (RR = 2.6, 95% CI 1.3 to 5.4). Risks of non-CLL leukaemias were not significantly related to the number of years subjects worked in more recent periods, the year or age first worked, the total years worked, specific procedures or equipment used, or personal radiotherapy. Working as a radiologic technologist was not significantly linked with risk of multiple myeloma (28 cases), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (118 cases), Hodgkin's lymphoma (31 cases), or chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (23 cases).

CONCLUSION

Similar to results for single acute dose and fractionated high dose radiation exposures, there was increased risk for non-CLL leukaemias decades after initial protracted radiation exposure that likely cumulated to low-to-moderate doses.

[Analysis of variation in delivered dose in diagnostic and therapeutic cerebral angiography]

OBJECTIVES

Analysis of dose-area product (DAP) in cerebral angiography, according to the type of pathology and technique used.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Use of dosimetric and clinical data resulting from 84 diagnostic cerebral angiograms and 32 cerebral embolizations.

RESULTS

The diagnostic angiography data were divided into three categories: A/ When a secondarily embolized aneurysm was diagnosed: n=17. B/ When the final diagnosis was an arteriovenous malformation (AVM): n=10. C/ In the case where the diagnosis was neither AVM, nor aneurysm to embolize: n=57. The cerebral embolizations were classified in two sub-groups: K/ When the embolization immediately followed the diagnostic angiogram: n=15. L/ When the embolization of the aneurysm took place 24 to 48H after the angiography: n=17. The mean DAP of group B containing the AVM is higher than mean DAP values in groups A and C, because of the increased cinegraphic time. There is a strong correlation between the duration of the fluoroscopy and the DAP (n=116; r=0.931; p<0.0001). Addition of runs in the group L contributes to the augmentation of the exposure time (significant difference in time: p=0.0054) and thus with the fact that DAP L>DAPK.

CONCLUSION

Radiation dose during diagnostic cerebral angiography is increased in the presence of AVM. DAP of embolizations are higher when diagnostic and therapeutic phases are separated in time.

Coronary heart disease after radiotherapy for peptic ulcer disease

PURPOSE

To evaluate the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and cerebrovascular disease after radiotherapy (RT) for peptic ulcer disease.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Peptic ulcer disease patients treated with RT (n = 1859) or by other means (n = 1860) at the University of Chicago Medical Center between 1936 and 1965, were followed through 1997. The observed numbers of cause-specific deaths were compared with the expected numbers from the general population rates. During RT, 5% of the heart was in the treatment field and the remainder of the heart mostly received scattered radiation. A volume-weighted cardiac dose was computed to describe the average tissue dose to the entire organ. We used Cox proportional hazards regression analysis to analyze the CHD and cerebrovascular disease risk associated with RT, adjusting for confounding factors.

RESULTS

Greater than expected CHD mortality was observed among the irradiated patients. The irradiated patients received volume-weighted cardiac doses ranging from 1.6 to 3.9 Gy and the portion of the heart directly in the field received doses of 7.6-18.4 Gy. The CHD risk increased with the cardiac dose (p trend = 0.01). The cerebrovascular disease risk was not associated with the surrogate carotid dose.

CONCLUSION

The excess CHD risk in patients undergoing RT for peptic ulcer disease decades previously indicates the need for long-term follow-up for cardiovascular disease after chest RT.

Patient and staff doses in interventional X-ray procedures in Sweden

Interventional procedures in radiology are of concern because of irradiation doses to the patients and also to the staff. A questionnaire sent to all radiology departments in Sweden showed that 11,350 procedures were performed annually 1996-1997. In a follow-up study, data from patient procedures were recorded. Type of procedure, dose-area product (DAP) values, fluoroscopy times, number of radiography series and patient data were recorded. For some procedures, staff doses were measured. Skin doses to the patients were also calculated where possible.

RESULTS

A total of 380 interventional procedures were described. The procedures were grouped into cranial, neck and thorax, intestine and abdominal, uro/genital and pelvis and extremities. DAP and fluoroscopy times (mean values) were 200 Gy cm2 for 57 min, 57 Gy cm2 for 16 min, 270 Gy cm2 for 35 min, 212 Gy cm2 for 37 min, 67 Gy cm2 for 21 min, respectively, for the named procedures. Maximum patient skin doses exceeded threshold values for erythema (2 Gy) in cranial, neck/thorax and intestine/abdominal procedures. Effective doses to the patients could be high, 200 mSv.

CONCLUSION

It was found that patient doses could exceed threshold values for skin erythema (2 Gy) and temporary epilation (3 Gy). Hence, the procedures require immediate improvement.