[ERCP procedures as a source of radiation risk to a single gastroenterologist]

Occupational eye lens dose in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography using a dedicated eye lens dosimeter

Increased x-ray exposure to physicians' eye lenses during radiology procedures is a significant concern. In this study, x-ray exposure to the eye was measured using an anthropomorphic head phantom, with and without radiation-protective devices, to examine the dose of x-ray radiation that physicians are exposed to during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). X-ray exposure of the eye was measured using novel dedicated direct eye lens dosimeters that could specifically measureH_p(3) during the ERCP procedure. The spatial dose in the height direction of the physician was measured using an ionization chamber dosimeter. Eye dosimeters were attached inside and outside the lead (Pb) glasses attached to the head of the human phantom to demonstrate its protective effect. Irradiation from the system lasted for 30 min. When the overcouch x-ray tube system is used, the cumulative radiation dose over the 30 min x-ray fluoroscopy time, without the use of radiation-protective devices, to the left and right eyes was 3.7 and 1.5 mSv, respectively. This dose was estimated to be the dose to the lens per therapeutic ERCP examination. With radiation-protective glasses, the dose reduced to 1.8 and 1.0 mSv for the left and right eye, respectively. The results of our study indicated that radiation exposure to the eye was reduced by up to 80.0% using Pb glasses and by 96.8% using radiation-protective curtains. Our study indicates that a physician's maximum radiation exposure to the eyes during an ERCP procedure may be above the level recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection when the physician does not use radiation-protective devices. The eyewear, which is larger and fitted more closely to the face, provided a better protection effect even with a low lead equivalence, demonstrating that the shape of eyewear is important for protective function.

Endoscopist's occupational dose evaluation related to correct wearing of dosimeter during X-ray-guided procedures

Background Since endoscopists performing procedures in the endoscopy suite can change their position by turning their back, side or front toward the X-ray source, this study aimed to establish whether dosimeter position affects the correct evaluation of an endoscopist’s personal radiation exposure during X-ray-guided procedures.

Materials and methods Between January and February 2018, two dosimeters specularly placed outside the lead apron (anterior one on the chest and posterior one on the back) measured endoscopists’ personal dose equivalent (Hp) during 62 X-ray-guided procedures on adult and pediatric patients. Procedures were divided into three groups considering the position taken by the endoscopist with respect to the radiation source. For each group, the difference between mean Hp from the anterior and posterior dosimeters was calculated.

Results A statistically significant difference in mean Hp was recorded for the endoscopists’ frontal and back positions (P = 0.014, and P < 0.00001, respectively). No significant difference was found in mean Hp for the side position (P = 0.489).

Conclusions The position of personal dosimeters affects the correct evaluation of endoscopists’ radiation exposure during X-ray-guided procedures when frontal and back positions were recorded. To correctly evaluate radiation doses, the whole-body dosimeter should be worn according to the position of the endoscopist with respect to the radiation source; otherwise, it results in an incorrect personal dose evaluation, which may lead to substantial underestimation of staff exposure.

Radiation exposure during image-guided endoscopic procedures: The next quality indicator for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is one of the most frequently used image-guided procedures in gastrointestinal endoscopy. Post-ERCP pancreatitis is an important concern, and prophylaxis, cannulation and other related technical procedures have been well documented by endoscopists. In addition, medical radiation exposure is of great concern in the general population because of its rapidly increasing frequency and its potential carcinogenic effects. International organizations and radiological societies have established diagnostic reference levels, which guide proper radiation use and serve as global standards for all procedures that use ionizing radiation. However, data on gastrointestinal fluoroscopic procedures are still lacking because the demand for these procedures has recently increased. In this review, we present the current status of quality indicators for ERCP and the methods for measuring radiation exposure in the clinical setting as the next quality indicator for ERCP. To reduce radiation exposure, knowledge of its adverse effects and the procedures for proper measurement and protection are essential. Additionally, further studies on the factors that affect radiation exposure, exposure management and diagnostic reference levels are necessary. Then, we can discuss how to manage medical radiation use in these complex fluoroscopic procedures. This knowledge will help us to protect not only patients but also endoscopists and medical staff in the fluoroscopy unit.

Radiation exposure dose and influencing factors during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

Introduction

Various endoscopic procedures under fluoroscopic guidance are being rapidly adopted, and radiation exposure is considered to be increasing. However, there is little concern about this issue in gastroenterology practice. This study aims to evaluate the actual radiation exposure dose (RD) during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and the factors affecting the RD.

Methods

In this retrospective, single-center cohort study of 1157 consecutive patients who underwent ERCP between October 2012 and February 2017, we analyzed the influences of patient characteristics, procedure time (min), total fluoroscopy time (min), type of processing engine, experience of the endoscopist, and type of disease on the total RD (mGy).

Results

The median procedure times were 28 min for common bile duct stones (CBDS), 25 min for distal malignant biliary obstruction (MBO), and 30 min for proximal MBO. Similarly, the median fluoroscopy times were 10.3, 8.8, and 13.4 min, and the median RDs were 167, 123, and 242 mGy, respectively. Proximal MBO required significantly longer procedure time and fluoroscopy time and resulted in greater RD than distal MBO (P = 0.0006, <0.0001, <0.0001) and CBDS (P = 0.015, <0.0001, <0.0001). Multiple linear regression showed that distal MBO and a novel processing engine negatively correlate with RD (P = 0.04, <0.0001) and that proximal MBO positively correlates with RD (P = 0.0001).

Discussion

Procedure time and fluoroscopy time were significantly longer for proximal MBO than for CBDS and distal MBO. The type of disease and processing engine significantly influenced the RD during ERCP.