Research summary, original research, 2020

Occupational Doses in Fluoroscopy-Guided Interventions

Borrego D, Kitahara CM, Balter S, Yoder C. Radiology. 2020

Read the original paper

In plain language

In US dosimetry records for fluoroscopy-guided intervention staff, median annual lens dose was about 7 mSv. It did not change from 2009 to 2015 and was within US limits. Most badge entries were uninformative, and missing, reversed or misplaced badges hampered monitoring.

At a glance

Type of study
Original research, Dosimetry measurement study
Who was studied
Mixed lab staff
Size
n = 603,206 informative badge dose entries
Where
United States
Summary based on
the abstract

What it found

  • Most badge entries were uninformative. Only about a fifth of two-badge entries and a third of one-badge entries were judged informative after exclusions.

    Key figures: 22.2% (153 033 of 687 912) two-badge; 32.9% (450 173 of 1 366 736) one-badge

  • Median annual lens dose equivalents were similar for one-badge and two-badge wearers, at around 7 mSv.

    Key figures: median 6.9 mSv (n = 6218) vs 7.1 mSv (IQR 4.6-11.2 mSv; n = 1449); P = .18

  • Lens dose equivalent did not change from 2009 to 2015 under either monitoring protocol.

    Key figures: P = .96 (one badge); P = .23 (two badges)

  • Many two-badge entries were incomplete or showed incorrect badge wear.

    Key figures: 123 595 incomplete; 76 059 incorrect wear

  • Doses were within US regulatory limits. Non-return, reversal and improper placement of badges hinder accurate monitoring.

Limits to keep in mind

This is a retrospective analysis of badge records from a single dosimetry provider, in which staff were only presumed to perform fluoroscopically guided interventional (FGI) work and most entries were excluded as uninformative. Badge readings estimate dose and are not health outcomes.

How this summary was made

ORSIF prepared this summary with AI assistance from the abstract of the paper. A program then checked that the passage supporting each finding appears word for word in that source. A person has not yet reviewed each summary, so read the original before relying on a number. ORSIF summarizes research and does not endorse any product or company. Report a problem with this summary.

Prepared November 3, 2026.