AN ASSESSMENT OF METHODS FOR MONITORING ENTRANCE SURFACEDOSE IN FLUOROSCOPICALLY GUIDED INTERVENTIONAL PROCEDURES

摘要

In the light of a growing awareness of the risks of inducing skin injuries as a consequence of fluoroscopicallyrnguided interventional procedures (FGIPs), this paper compares three methods of monitoring entrance surfacerndose (ESD) It also reports measurements of ESDs made during the period August 1998 to June 1999 on 137rnpatients undergoing cardiac, neurological and general FGIPs. Although the sample is small, the results reinforcernthe need for routine assessments to be made of ESDs in FGIPs. At present, the most reliable and accurate formrnof ESD measurement would seem to be arrays of TLDs. However, transducer based methods, although likely tornbe less accurate, have considerable advantages in relation to a continuous monitoring programme. It is alsornsuggested that there may be the potential locally for threshold dose area product (DAP) values to be set forrnspecific procedures. These could be used to provide early warning of the potential for skin injuries.