Estimated operator exposure for hand holding portable X-ray units during imaging of the equine distal extremity.
Abstract: Hand holding of portable X-ray units is common in large animal ambulatory veterinary practice. Portable X-ray equipment manuals, veterinary teaching institutions, and state regulations discourage, or prohibit, hand holding of portable X-ray units. Our goal was to quantify surface radiation leakage of a typical portable X-ray unit and to measure operator exposure at simulated hand and collar positions during imaging of the equine distal extremity. Each exposure for the study was performed at 80 kVp and 7.5 mAs and repeated 10 times. Measurement of tube radiation leakage was performed along each surface of the portable X-ray unit. To determine the operator exposure more accurately, an equine cadaver limb was used to generate scatter radiation for the following views: lateral carpus, lateral foot, palmaroproximal-palmarodistal, and dorsal 60° proximal-palmarodistal obliques of the navicular region. A Pancake Ion Chamber was placed at the handle and at simulated collar position to record estimated occupational exposure. To estimate the effect of lead shielding, exposure measurements were performed within the primary beam and behind a 0.5 mm lead equivalent apron and within an >0.5 mm lead equivalent glove. The average hand and collar dose was 0.471 and 0.327 mR/exposure, respectively. The lead apron and glove attenuated the primary beam 96.9 and 99.2%, respectively. This reduced average hand and collar exposures to 0.0038 and 0.0101 mR/exposure, respectively. Theoretical occupational limits are reached for the collar (whole body) before the hand (extremity).
© 2010 Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound.
Publication Date: 2010-10-07 PubMed ID: 21388461DOI: 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2010.01754.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The key purpose of this research study is to evaluate the extent of exposure to surface radiation leakage by operators utilizing handheld portable X-ray units for imaging of horse’s limbs, especially lower limbs. The study seeks to provide measurable results, highlighting any potential dangers posed to the operators and suggesting ways in which this exposure can be minimized.
Methodology
- Imaging exposure was performed at a standardized setting of 80 kVp (Kilovolt peak) and 7.5 mAs (milliampere-second), repeated over ten instances.
- Radiation leakage was measured at every surface of the portable X-ray unit.
- An equine (horse) cadaver limb was used as a real-world model to generate a scattering of radiation for different angles and positions. This included the lateral carpus, lateral foot, and navicular region from different views.
- Recording devices, specifically a Pancake Ion Chamber, was positioned at the handle and at a simulated collar position to estimate the occupational exposure for operators.
Results
- The average hand and collar dose measured was 0.471 and 0.327 mR/exposure, respectively.
- Exposure measurements were also performed behind a 0.5 mm lead equivalent apron and within a more than 0.5 mm lead equivalent glove.
- With the use of lead shielding (apron and glove), the primary beam was attenuated to 96.9 and 99.2%, respectively.
- The use of lead shielding drastically reduced the average hand and collar exposures to 0.0038 and 0.0101 mR/exposure, respectively.
Conclusions
- The study effectively measured the potential exposure to radiation for operators using handheld portable X-ray units.
- The study found that the theoretical occupational exposure limits for radiation were reached at the collar (whole-body exposure) before the hand (extremity).
- The use of lead shielding drastically reduces exposure, proving its essential value in protecting operators from harmful radiation.
Cite This Article
APA
Tyson R, Smiley DC, Pleasant RS, Daniel GB.
(2010).
Estimated operator exposure for hand holding portable X-ray units during imaging of the equine distal extremity.
Vet Radiol Ultrasound, 52(2), 121-124.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1740-8261.2010.01754.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA. rtyson@vt.edu
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Extremities / diagnostic imaging
- Gloves, Protective
- Hand / radiation effects
- Horses
- Humans
- Occupational Exposure
- Radiation Dosage
- Radiation Protection / methods
- Radiography / instrumentation
- Radiography / methods
- Radiography / veterinary
- Scattering, Radiation
- Veterinarians
- Whole-Body Counting
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Hoey S, O'Sullivan J, Byrne J, Devine S, Toomey W, McAllister H, Skelly C. Ultrasound screening protocol for osteochondrosis at selected predilection sites in thoroughbred yearlings.. Ir Vet J 2022 Apr 27;75(1):8.
- Belotta AF, Mayer MN, Waldner CL, Robinson K, Sidhu N, Carmalt J, Bell CD, Koehncke NK. Radiation safety practices among Canadian equine veterinary workers during diagnostic procedures with portable X-ray equipment.. Can Vet J 2021 Apr;62(4):349-356.
- Hoogeveen RC, Ouchene S, Berkhout W. Diagnostic image quality of hand-held and wall-mounted X-ray devices in bitewing radiography: a non-inferiority clinical trial.. Dentomaxillofac Radiol 2021 Jul 1;50(5):20200471.
- Hoogeveen RC, Meertens BR, Berkhout WER. Precision of aiming with a portable X-ray device (Nomad Pro 2) compared to a wall-mounted device in intraoral radiography.. Dentomaxillofac Radiol 2019 Jul;48(5):20180221.
- Scheftel JM, Elchos BL, Rubin CS, Decker JA. Review of hazards to female reproductive health in veterinary practice.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2017 Apr 15;250(8):862-872.
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