The variation of intrinsic spatial resolution across the UFOV of scintillation cameras.

The aim of the present study was to investigate in detail the variation of the intrinsic spatial resolution across the useful field of view (UFOV) of gamma-cameras and to explore whether this variation could lead to observable effects in clinical images. Two gamma-cameras were used, without their collimators, to acquire 560 (99m)Tc point source images at different points across their UFOVs, in order to measure the intrinsic spatial resolution at each point. Possible clinical effects of the resolution variation were examined on images of a thyroid phantom using a LEHR collimator, acquired at different locations on the UFOV and at various distances from the collimator. The gamma-camera intrinsic resolution varied significantly across the UFOV, being generally lower at the central region and deteriorating at the edges. Pronounced local maxima and minima were found at points corresponding to the centers of the photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) and halfway in between. Maximum differences of more than 50% were observed between the points presenting the best and worst intrinsic resolution. Differences between neighboring points reached 17%. The effects of resolution variation were clearly observable on the thyroid phantom images. It was concluded that an appropriate correction algorithm might be necessary in order to correct for the variation of the intrinsic spatial resolution across the UFOV of gamma-cameras.

Skin doses to patients undergoing coronary angiography in a Greek hospital.

In this study, the skin dose (SD) to patients undergoing coronary angiography (CA) were measured with thermoluminescence dosemeters (TLD) attached to various anatomical locations on the patient's skin during 93 CA procedures in a Greek hospital. The dose-area product (DAP) for every radiological projection was also measured for each procedure. The SD values were measured to be in the range 2.4-427.5 mGy, lower than the 2 Gy dose threshold for transient erythema. No general correlation was observed between the SD and the total DAP.

The dependence of patient dose on factors relating to the technique and complexity of Interventional Cardiology procedures.

Dose-area product (DAP) measurements were conducted for 168 coronary angiography (CA) and 89 single vessel percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) to examine the factors influencing patient dose beyond the X-ray exposure parameters. It was found that for CA, the DAP increases with the number of catheters used and with the number of vessels with stenosis. DAP values for patients with a prior bypass surgery, were higher compared to those without such a medical record to surgery. In PTCA, the use of coronary stents did not enhance the patient radiation dose significantly. Noticeable differences were found in the percentage contribution of each projection to the total DAP between the three types of single vessel PTCA. Finally low variations in DAP were found among the cardiologists performing both procedures.

Radiation exposure to cardiologists performing interventional cardiology procedures.

Medical doctors, who practice interventional cardiology, receive a noticeable radiation dose. In this study, we measured the radiation dose to 9 cardiologists during 144 procedures (72 coronary angiographies and 70 percutaneus translumined coronary angioplasties) in two Greek hospitals. Absorbed doses were measured with TLD placed underneath and over the lead apron at the thyroid protective collar. Based on these measurements, the effective dose was calculated using the Niklason method. In addition, dose area product (DAP) was registered. The effective doses, E, were normalised to the total DAP measured in each procedure, producing the E/DAP index. The mean effective dose values were found to be in the range of 1.2-2.7 microSv while the mean E/DAP values are in the range of 0.010-0.035 microSv/Gycm2. The dependence of dose to the X-ray equipment, the exposure parameters and the technique of the cardiologist were examined. Taking under consideration the laboratories' annual workload, the maximum annual dose was estimated to be 1.9 and 2.8 mSv in the two hospitals.