Assessing radiation exposure of fingers of PET/CT technologists during 18 F-FDG procedures using active extremity dosimeters: a single-center study

Extremity radiation exposure in nuclear medicine is a growing concern because it may surpass the maximum permissible dose of 500 mSv. This study aimed to assess the occupational finger dose received by technologists during the preparation and administration of F-FDG radiopharmaceuticals in positron...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of radiological protection 2024-12, Vol.44 (4), p.41514
Main Authors: Ramanathan, Vijitha, Gamage, S P, Karunathilaka, Uiu, Wickramasinghe, Wmis, Tudugala, Ranga
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Female
Fingers - radiation effects
Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Occupational Exposure - analysis
Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography
Radiation Dosage
Radiation Dosimeters
Radiation Exposure - analysis
Radiopharmaceuticals
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Summary:Extremity radiation exposure in nuclear medicine is a growing concern because it may surpass the maximum permissible dose of 500 mSv. This study aimed to assess the occupational finger dose received by technologists during the preparation and administration of F-FDG radiopharmaceuticals in positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) whole-body scan procedures. Fifty scans were selected, with one procedure excluded due to a high administered activity. The mean administered activity per scan was 207.2 ± 41.8 MBq, with preparation and administration times averaging 1.44 ± 1.30 min and 0.46 ± 0.31 min, respectively. The technologist's mean total finger dose received during preparation and administration was 253.5 ± 153.3  Sv per procedure. A significant positive correlation was found between the administered activity and occupational dose, with patient's body mass index, preparation time, and administration time also contributing to dose variation. Based on 703 PET-CT procedures conducted in 2022, the estimated occupational finger dose for a technologist was 178.2 mSv annually. This value is well below the International Commission on Radiological Protection's maximum permissible dose of 500 mSv. The findings of this study have a significant impact on extremity dosimetry in nuclear medicine in Sri Lanka, as this is the first study of its kind.
ISSN:0952-4746
1361-6498
DOI:10.1088/1361-6498/ad9f72