Strategy to Reduce the Collective Equivalent Dose for the Lens of the Physician’s Eye Using Short Radiation Protection Curtains to Prevent Cataracts
Koichi Nakagami,
Takashi Moritake,
Keisuke Nagamoto,
Koichi Morota,
Satoru Matsuzaki,
Tomoko Kuriyama,
Naoki Kunugita
Affiliations
Koichi Nakagami
Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 807-8556, Japan
Takashi Moritake
Department of Radiation Regulatory Research Group, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Quantum Life and Medical Science Directorate, National Institute for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
Keisuke Nagamoto
Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 807-8556, Japan
Koichi Morota
Department of Radiology, Shinkomonji Hospital, 2-5 Dairishinmachi, Moji-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 800-0057, Japan
Satoru Matsuzaki
Department of Occupational and Community Health Nursing, School of Health Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 807-8555, Japan
Tomoko Kuriyama
Department of Occupational and Community Health Nursing, School of Health Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 807-8555, Japan
Naoki Kunugita
Department of Occupational and Community Health Nursing, School of Health Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 807-8555, Japan
A short curtain that improves on the low versatility of existing long curtains was developed as a dedicated radiation protective device for the over-table tube fluorographic imaging units. The effect of this short curtain in preventing cataracts was then examined. First, the physician lens dose reduction rate was obtained at the position of the lens. Next, the reduction rate in the collective equivalent dose for the lens of the physician’s eye was estimated. The results showed that lens dose reduction rates with the long curtain and the short curtain were 88.9% (literature-based value) and 17.6%, respectively, higher with the long curtain. In our hospital, the reduction rate in the collective equivalent dose for the lens of the physician’s eye was 9.8% and 17.6% with a procedures mixture, using the long curtain where technically possible and no curtain in all other procedures, and the short curtain in all procedures, respectively, higher with the short curtain. Moreover, a best available for curtains raised the reduction rate in the collective equivalent dose for the lens of the physician’s eye a maximum of 25.5%. By introducing the short curtain, it can be expected to have an effect in preventing cataracts in medical staff.
