Whats the risk?

[TheLoneWolf]

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Hey everyone,
was wondering what is the lifetime risk of chronic low dose radiation exposure? Our exposures are still a small fraction of interventional radiology, cardiology, vascular surgeons. Often during residency, the orthopods and neurosurgeons wouldnt wear a thyroid shield. Some of the neurosurgeons didnt even wear lead, just step out of the room or move out 6 feet from the machine. A few OR nurses and circulators swear that there is no radiation 6 feet away from the source and never wear lead but im not convinced. I have been in cases where total exposure time was over 30 minutes, mostly with vascular and electrophysiology. Also, what is the lifetime risk for patients who have a few injections over the course of a few years?

 

[pastafan]

My MA wears lead but he is 6 feet back and his radiation badge measures lower than readable.

Look at SIS radiation safety lecture for the other answers.

 

[SSdoc33]

There really are no answers. And no numbers you can hang your hat on. Just use as light a foot as possible

 

[paindoc007]

A former pain doc at my hospital gave it up after about 15 years. Developed a painful neuropathy in his hands and fingers. I use lead gloves for all my SCS cases for that reason

 

[DOctorJay]

SCS case

CLO to get loss
“Tip of the needle, bottom of the screen, pulsed dose” (instructions to rad tech)

Thread lead to sweet spot
Lateral shot
PA shot

When are your hands in the beam?



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[paindoc007]

SCS case

CLO to get loss
“Tip of the needle, bottom of the screen, pulsed dose” (instructions to rad tech)

Thread lead to sweet spot
Lateral shot
PA shot

When are your hands in the beam?



Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

I narrow the field and collimnate as I can, but inches away does not equal no radiation exposure, esp as you’re using live fluoro. Does it?

 

[DOctorJay]

Not zero but if your lead gloves get in the image your machine will ramp up the radiation even more. My tech will slide cephalad as the lead advances to bring the beam away from me.


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[willabeast]

Hey everyone,
was wondering what is the lifetime risk of chronic low dose radiation exposure? Our exposures are still a small fraction of interventional radiology, cardiology, vascular surgeons. Often during residency, the orthopods and neurosurgeons wouldnt wear a thyroid shield. Some of the neurosurgeons didnt even wear lead, just step out of the room or move out 6 feet from the machine. A few OR nurses and circulators swear that there is no radiation 6 feet away from the source and never wear lead but im not convinced. I have been in cases where total exposure time was over 30 minutes, mostly with vascular and electrophysiology. Also, what is the lifetime risk for patients who have a few injections over the course of a few years?

Classic answer is retina damage and thyroid cancer, hence the lead glasses and thyroid shield.

 

[Ferrismonk]

Radiation exposure is reduced inverse square to distance. So exposure drops off precipitously the farther away you stand. 6 feet is a good estimate for little radiation exposure.

That being said, radiation usually isn't a GOOD thing, so I protect myself. Full-circle radiation gown and thyroid shield, radiation drapes off table, leaded glasses, leaded hanging face shield, leaded gloves, heavy use of collumation, hemostat for pointing at spots on flouro. Leaded gloves are controversial because the C-arm will increase radiation dose if it hits a dense object, thus theoretically increasing total dose. I wear them anyway and try not to flouro my hand.

I do this for every flouro procedure, not just "heavy" radiation procedures.

 

[pastafan]

I think about Milt Landers' quip: If you're worried about radiation you should have become a pediatrician.

Table drapes are great to reduce radiation exposure. I wear gown, thyroid shield, and lead glasses. I stand behind a lead shield for laterals. Instead of a hemostat I have a wire that is a bit thinner than a coat hangar with a loop on the end to mark skin entry point. It is worthwhile to just lean away from the table to get your face/body back a few feet from the beam.

 

[Doctodd]

I think about Milt Landers' quip: If you're worried about radiation you should have become a pediatrician.

boy could he talk..... I remember him when i would go to SIS conferences.

 

[painfree23]

any good sources for the glasses? need to get a new set

 

[pastafan]

They have 20% off sale now until the end of the month. I like the MicroLite plus model but they allow you to try them at home and send back what you don't like. There are a few old threads on this subject. AttenuTech - Home Code FALL18

 

[Ferrismonk]

I wear glasses, so this is what I use:
Barrier Technologies Fitover Radiation Eyewear

 

[DOctorJay]

I got the Nikes from Attenutech and am happy with them.


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[cowboydoc]

any good sources for the glasses? need to get a new set

Barrier technologies also sells on Amazon. I really like my Oakley five^2 from them.