Dose absorbed by technologists in positron emission tomography procedures with FDG

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate radiation doses delivered to technologists engaged in different tasks involving positron emission tomography (PET) studies with FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose). This investigation was performed in two French nuclear medicine departments, which presented significant differences in their arrangements and radiation safety conditions. Both centers administered about 300 MBq per PET/CT study, although only one of them is a dedicated clinical PET center. Dose equivalent Hp(10) and skin dose Hp(0.07) were measured using Siemens electronic personnel dosimeters. For assessment dose absorbed by hands during drawing up of tracer and injection into the patient, a Polimaster wristwatch gamma dosimeter was employed. Absorbed dose and the time spent during each investigated task were recorded for a total of 180 whole-body PET studies. In this report, the methodology employed, the results and their radioprotection issues are presented as well as discussed.