Measurement of maximum skin dose in interventional radiology and cardiology and challenges in the set-up of European alert thresholds

Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 2015 Apr;164(1-2):138-42. doi: 10.1093/rpd/ncu314. Epub 2014 Oct 14.

Abstract

To help operators acknowledge patient dose during interventional procedures, EURADOS WG-12 focused on measuring patient skin dose using XR-RV3 gafchromic films, thermoluminescent detector (TLD) pellets or 2D TL foils and on investigating possible correlation to the on-line dose indicators such as fluoroscopy time, Kerma-area product (KAP) and cumulative air Kerma at reference point (CK). The study aims at defining non-centre-specific European alert thresholds for skin dose in three interventional procedures: chemoembolization of the liver (CE), neuroembolization (NE) and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Skin dose values of >3 Gy (ICRP threshold for skin injuries) were indeed measured in these procedures confirming the need for dose indicators that correlate with maximum skin dose (MSD). However, although MSD showed fairly good correlation with KAP and CK, several limitations were identified challenging the set-up of non-centre-specific European alert thresholds. This paper presents preliminary results of this wide European measurement campaign and focuses on the main challenges in the definition of European alert thresholds.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Absorption, Radiation
  • Cardiovascular Surgical Procedures / methods*
  • Humans
  • Maximum Allowable Concentration
  • Radiography, Interventional / methods*
  • Radiometry / instrumentation*
  • Radiometry / methods
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Skin / diagnostic imaging*
  • Skin Physiological Phenomena / radiation effects
  • X-Rays*