Quantum mechanics

Biomedical engineering

Torso

Radiation

Nuclear physics

Scattering

Medical physics

Dosimetry

Ionization chamber

Radiation protection

Radiology

Kerma

Imaging phantom

Physics

Ionization

Anatomy

Irradiation

Mathematics

Optics

Geometry

Medicine

Nuclear medicine

Ionizing radiation

Fluoroscopy

Reduction (mathematics)

European Journal of Radiology

Purpose Radiation-absorbing pads are an additional possibility to reduce scattered radiation at its source. The goal of this study is to investigate the efficacy of a new reusable radiation-absorbing pad at its origin in an experimental setup. Material and methods All measurements were carried out using a clinical angiography system with a standardized fluoroscopy protocol, different C-arm angulations and an anthropomorphic torso phantom as a scattering body. An ionization chamber was used to measure the radiation exposure at five different heights of a simulated operator during a simulated transfemoral angiography intervention. Measurements were carried out with and without radiation-absorbing pads with lead equivalents of 0.25 and 0.5 mm placed onto the scattering body. For all measurements a mobile acrylic shield and an under-table lead curtain was used. Results At all operator heights from 100 to 165 cm a significant radiation dose reduction of up to 80.6 % (p < 0.01) using the radiation-absorbing pad was measured, when compared to no radiation-absorbing pad. At the height of 165 cm the radiation-absorbing pad with a lead equivalence of 0.5 mm showed a significant radiation dose reduction (51.4 %, p < 0.01) in comparison to a lead equivalence of 0.25 mm. Conclusion The addition of a radiation-absorbing pad to the standard protection means results in a significant dose reduction for the operator, particularly for upper body parts.

Scatter radiation reduction with a radiation-absorbing pad in interventional radiology examinations