ICRP Publication 117

Radiological Protection in Fluoroscopically Guided Procedures Performed Outside the Imaging Department

An increasing number of medical specialists are using fluoroscopy outside imaging departments. There has been general neglect of radiological protection coverage of fluoroscopy machines used outside the imaging departments. Lack of radiological protection training of those working with fluoroscopy outside imaging departments can increase the radiation risk to workers and patients. Procedures such as endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), renal angioplasty, iliac angioplasty, ureteric stent placement, therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) and bile duct stenting and drainage have the potential to impart skin doses exceeding 1 Gy. Although tissue reactions among patients and workers from fluoroscopy procedures have so far been reported only in interventional radiology and cardiology, the level of usage of fluoroscopy outside radiology departments creates potential for such injuries.