The effect of radiation shields on operator exposure during congenital cardiac catheterisation
Cardiac catheterisation personnel are exposed to occupational radiation and its health risks. Little data exist regarding the efficacy of radiation-protective equipment from congenital catheterisation laboratories (CLs). The authors retrospectively reviewed data in which CL operators wore a radiation dosemeter during catheterizations on patients of >20 kg. A leaded under-table skirt was present in all cases. Three additional radiation-protective devices were utilised at operator discretion: a top extension to the under-table skirt, a ceiling-mounted shield and a disposable patient drape. Case details, operator position,...
Source: Radiation Protection Dosimetry - December 6, 2016 Category: Radiology Authors: Batlivala, S. P., Magill, D., Felice, M. A., Jones, V., Dori, Y., Gillespie, M. J., Rome, J. J., Glatz, A. C. Tags: Paper Source Type: research
Temporal dependence of the radiation monitoring instruments for area monitoring used at radiodiagnostic and intervention facilities
Area monitoring is a fundamental test at radiodiagnostic facilities to maintain an acceptable level of radiation exposure for employees and members of the public. Experimental measurements were taken in an ionising radiation calibration laboratory. Four area monitor instruments were used. Dose and dose rate measurements were measured in integrated and rate operating modes. The results show that precautions are necessary where the area monitor uses exposure times of ≤2 s. When taking measurements in rate mode for times ≤2 s, the area monitors evaluated show a tendency to underestimate dose rate, the inaccuracy was 41 ...
Source: Radiation Protection Dosimetry - December 6, 2016 Category: Radiology Authors: Leyton, F., Macedo, E. M., Ferreira, M. J., Navarro, V. C. C., Garcia, I. F. M., Pereira, L. C. S., Navarro, M. V. T. Tags: Paper Source Type: research
The impact of x-ray unit type used for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography procedures on patient doses
To investigate whether the X-ray unit type used for interventional endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures may affect patient radiation doses. A total of 471 ERCP procedures performed in 4 hospitals with 4 types of X-ray units were studied. Kerma–area product (KAP), fluoroscopy time (T) and total number of radiographs acquired (F) were recorded. KAP, T and F values exhibited a great variation, ranging from 0.1 to 130.2 Gy cm2 (mean 16 Gy cm2), 0.13 to 33.7 min (mean 5.4 min) and 0 to 26 radiographs (mean 3.5), respectively. The respective mean values for the four types of X-ray units that wer...
Source: Radiation Protection Dosimetry - December 6, 2016 Category: Radiology Authors: Tsapaki, V., Paraskeva, K. D., Tsalafoutas, I. A., Paspatis, G., Scotiniotis, H., Georgopoulos, P., Finou, P., Karagianis, J. A. Tags: Paper Source Type: research
Development of age-specific japanese physical phantoms for dose evaluation in infant ct examinations
Secondary to the previous development of age-specific Japanese head phantoms, the authors designed Japanese torso phantoms for dose assessment in infant computed tomography (CT) examinations and completed a Japanese 3-y-old head–torso phantom. For design of age-specific torso phantoms (0, 0.5, 1 and 3 y old), anatomical structures were measured from CT images of Japanese infant patients. From the CT morphometry, it was found that rib cages of Japanese infants were smaller than those in Europeans and Americans. Radiophotoluminescence glass dosemeters were used for dose measurement of a 3-y-old head–torso phantom...
Source: Radiation Protection Dosimetry - December 6, 2016 Category: Radiology Authors: Yamauchi-Kawaura, C., Fujii, K., Akahane, K., Yamauchi, M., Obara, S., Narai, K., Katsu, T., Imai, K., Ikeda, M. Tags: Paper Source Type: research
Fast assessment of rf power absorption in indoor environments by room electromagnetics theory
A fast method to assess radiofrequency (RF) radiation absorption in humans present in realistic indoor environments is proposed. The only required inputs are the room characteristics and the weight and position of the human with respect to the electromagnetic source. The method is compared and validated with full finite-difference time-domain simulations. Various realistic scenarios are investigated, in which one to six human phantoms are present. Whole-body power absorption ranges from 23.5 to 85.9 µW kg–1 with a median deviation of ~3.1 dB (51 %). While this difference may appear large, it is outbalanced by a...
Source: Radiation Protection Dosimetry - December 6, 2016 Category: Radiology Authors: Bamba, A., Joseph, W., Boursianis, A., Samaras, T., Vermeeren, G., Thielens, A., Martens, L. Tags: Paper Source Type: research
Background track density reduction of 50-hz-hv ece-processed thick polycarbonate detectors to improve lower detection limit
A recent novel development of 50-Hz–HV ECE of 1-mm-thick and 250-µm-thick polycarbonate track detectors (PCTDs) has proved some promising results for some health physics, dosimetry and ion-beam-related applications. The method while proved having some good characteristics for some applications provided a relatively higher background track density (BGTD) in particular when very high voltages are applied to the PCTDs. In order to decrease the minimum detection limit (MDL) of the PCTDs and to further promote its applications for low dose, the BGTD was reduced by applying a layer removal methodology applying ethyle...
Source: Radiation Protection Dosimetry - December 6, 2016 Category: Radiology Authors: Sohrabi, M., Hakimi, A., Soltani, Z. Tags: Paper Source Type: research
Multi-parameter interpolation of beta radiation dose rates using radial basis functions
In this study, the interpolation problem for a set of Monte Carlo simulations of dose rate per activity of beta-emitting radionuclides is considered. The simulations were carried out for various conditions: for circular areal sources of different diameters and radionuclides, and for various distances from the source. Calculations were done for both operational quantities as well as organ doses: Hp(0.07), Hp(3), Hp(10), Hskin and Hlens. Interpolation is needed for practical applications because it is often necessary to evaluate the dose quantities at parameter values that do not correspond exactly to the ones that were used...
Source: Radiation Protection Dosimetry - December 6, 2016 Category: Radiology Authors: Reginatto, M., Behrens, R. Tags: Paper Source Type: research
Space dosimetry measurements in the stratosphere using different active and passive dosimetry systems
This article presents the scientific goals and results in detail. From the TRITEL measurements, the linear energy transfer spectra, the average quality factor of the cosmic radiation as well as the absorbed dose and the dose equivalent were determined. Estimations for the uncertainty in the TRITEL measurements were given. The deposited energy spectra measured with the TRITEL instrument were compared with the count rates measured with the GM counters. The experiences and results gained in the frame of the project will be used in the evaluation of TRITEL data from measurements on board the International Space Station. As an ...
Source: Radiation Protection Dosimetry - December 6, 2016 Category: Radiology Authors: Zabori, B., Hirn, A., Deme, S., Apathy, I., Csoke, A., Pazmandi, T., Szanto, P. Tags: Paper Source Type: research
Assessment of the local exposure of skin on hands of nuclear medicine workers handling 18f-labelled radiopharmaceuticals: preliminary czech study
The article summarises some preliminary results of the assessment of the exposure of hands of workers manipulating 18F-labelled radiopharmaceuticals based on personal monitoring at two nuclear medicine clinics in the Czech Republic. The measurements were carried out using special thermoluminescence dosemeters the readings of which could be interpreted in terms of the personal dose equivalent Hp(0.07) approximating the equivalent dose to the skin at various locations on the surface of both hands. The results have shown that out of 21 workers monitored, ~43 % (preparation and applications of radiopharmaceuticals) may reach a...
Source: Radiation Protection Dosimetry - December 6, 2016 Category: Radiology Authors: Hudzietzova, J., Fülöp, M., Sabol, J., Dolezal, J. Tags: Paper Source Type: research
Neural network modelling of cardiac dose conversion coefficient for arbitrary x-ray spectra
In this article, an approach to compute the dose conversion coefficients (DCCs) is described for the computational voxel phantom ‘High-Definition Reference Korean-Man’ (HDRK-Man) using artificial neural networks (ANN). For this purpose, the voxel phantom was implemented into the Monte Carlo (MC) transport toolkit GEANT4, and the DCCs for more than 30 tissues and organs, due to a broad parallel beam of monoenergetic photons with energy ranging from 15 to 150 keV by a step of 5 keV, were calculated. To study the influence of patient size on DCC values, DCC calculation was performed, for a representative body size...
Source: Radiation Protection Dosimetry - December 6, 2016 Category: Radiology Authors: Kadri, O., Manai, K. Tags: Paper Source Type: research
Monte carlo study of the cardiac absorbed dose during x-ray examination of an adult patient
The computational voxel phantom ‘High-Definition Reference Korean-Man (HDRK-Man)’ was implemented into the Monte Carlo transport toolkit Geant4. The voxel model, adjusted to the Reference Korean Man, is 171 cm in height and 68 kg in weight and composed of ~30 million voxels whose size is 1.981 x 1.981 x 2.0854 mm3. The Geant4 code is then utilised to compute the dose conversion coefficients (DCCs) expressed in absorbed dose per air kerma free in air for >30 tissues and organs, including almost all organs required in the new recommendation of the ICRP 103, due to a broad parallel beam of monoenergetic photons...
Source: Radiation Protection Dosimetry - December 6, 2016 Category: Radiology Authors: Kadri, O., Manai, K., Alfuraih, A. Tags: Paper Source Type: research
COMPREHENSIVE RADIATION DOSE MEASUREMENTS AND MONTE CARLO SIMULATION FOR THE 7Li(p,n) ACCELERATOR NEUTRON FIELD
In order to investigate the radiation dose dependence on the incident proton energy, neutron and gamma-ray doses were measured using a tissue-equivalent proportional counter in the proton energy range of 1.95–2.50 MeV for the McMaster 7Li(p,n) neutron facility. Microdosimetric spectra were collected, and absorbed doses were determined at various positions inside the irradiation cavity, along the lateral axis and outside the shield to find out the spatial distributions of neutron and gamma-ray doses for each proton energy. In parallel with the absorbed dose measurements, MCNP Monte Carlo simulations were carried out a...
Source: Radiation Protection Dosimetry - December 6, 2016 Category: Radiology Authors: Darvish-Molla, S., Prestwich, W. V., Byun, S. H. Tags: Paper Source Type: research
ICRP Publication 129 Radiological Protection in Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT)
(Source: Radiation Protection Dosimetry)
Source: Radiation Protection Dosimetry - December 1, 2016 Category: Radiology Authors: Almen, A. Tags: Book review Source Type: research
Occupational Intakes of Radionuclides: Part 1
(Source: Radiation Protection Dosimetry)
Source: Radiation Protection Dosimetry - December 1, 2016 Category: Radiology Authors: Kramer, G. H. Tags: Book review Source Type: research
Utility of short-term basement screening radon measurements to predict year-long residential radon concentrations on upper floors
This study investigated temporal and spatial variability between basement radon concentrations (measured for ~7 d using electret ion chambers) and basement and upper floor radon concentrations (measured for 1 y using alpha track detectors) in 158 residences in Iowa, USA. Utility of short-term measurements to approximate a person's residential radon exposure and effect of housing/occupant factors on predictive ability were evaluated. About 60 % of basement short-term, 60 % of basement year-long and 30 % of upper floor year-long radon measurements were equal to or above the United States Environmental Protection Agency's rad...
Source: Radiation Protection Dosimetry - December 1, 2016 Category: Radiology Authors: Barros, N., Steck, D. J., William Field, R. Tags: Paper Source Type: research
