Radiological Protection in Fluoroscopically Guided Procedures Performed Outside the Imaging Department

Abstract

An increasing number of medical specialists are using fluoroscopy outside imaging departments, but there has been general neglect of radiological protection coverage of fluoroscopy machines used outside imaging departments. Lack of radiological protection training of those working with fluoroscopy outside imaging departments can increase the radiation risk to workers1 and patients. Procedures such as endovascular aneurysm repair, renal angioplasty, iliac angioplasty, ureteric stent placement, therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography, and bile duct stenting and drainage have the potential to impart skin doses exceeding 1Gy. Although tissue reactions among patients and workers from fluoroscopy procedures have, to date, only been reported in interventional radiology and cardiology, the level of fluoroscopy use outside imaging departments creates potential for such injuries. © 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of ICRP.