Radiation dose to the operator during fluoroscopically guided spine procedures

At a glance

Type of study

Original research, Dosimetry measurement study

Who was studied

Other physicians, Patients

Size

n = 57 procedures

Topics

Dosimetry and monitoringPatient dose

Summary based on

the abstract

What it found

• Operator air kerma varied widely across spine procedures, with a median of 6.4 μGy per procedure.

  Key figures: median 6.4 μGy per procedure

• Operator air kerma correlated with patient KAP, at about 1.6 μGy operator air kerma per Gy cm2 KAP.

  Key figures: r2 = 0.60; slope 1.6 μGy per Gy cm2

• Median fluoroscopy time was 2.6 min and median KAP 4.7 Gy cm2 per procedure; fluoroscopy time correlated with KAP.

  Key figures: 2.6 min; 4.7 Gy cm2; r2 = 0.63

• Operator dose can be approximated from routinely recorded patient KAP.

Limits to keep in mind

Small retrospective single-series study of 57 procedures using one electronic dosimeter; dosimeter position, shielding use, operator specialty and country are not reported in the abstract.

Related research summaries

• Evaluation of Radiation Exposure on Physicians During Angioplasty for Hemodialysis Access Dysfunction (2019, Dosimetry measurement study)
• Radiation Dose To Procedural Personnel And Patients From An X-Ray Volume Imaging System (2013, Dosimetry measurement study)
• Radiation Exposure, Training, and Safety in Cardiology (2024, Narrative review)
• EU BSS Summary for Health Professionals (2015, Regulation or standard)
• ICRP Publication 117. Radiological Protection In Fluoroscopically Guided Procedures Performed Outside The Imaging Department (2010, Guideline or consensus statement)