| 1. |
- Almén, Anja, et al.
(författare)
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Challenges assessing radiation risk in image-guided treatments-implications on optimisation of radiological protection
- 2018
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Ingår i: Journal of Radiological Protection. - : IOP Publishing. - 0952-4746 .- 1361-6498. ; 38:3, s. 1064-1076
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The present work explores challenges when assessing organ dose and effective dose concerning image-guided treatments. During these treatments considerable x-ray imaging is employed using technically advanced angiographic x-ray equipment. Thus, the radiation dose to organs and the related radiation risk are relatively difficult to assess. This has implications on the optimisation process, in which assessing radiation dose is one important part. In this study, endovascular aortic repair treatments were investigated. Organ dose and effective dose were assessed using Monte Carlo calculations together with a detailed specification of the exposure situation and patient size. The resulting normalised organ dose and effective dose with respect to kerma-area product for patient sizes and radiation qualities representative for the patient group were evaluated. The variability and uncertainty were investigated and their possible impact on optimisation of radiation protection was discussed. Exposure parameters, source to detector distances etc varied between treatments and also varied between image acquisitions during one treatment. Thus the derived normalised organ dose and effective dose exhibited a large range of values depending greatly on used exposure parameters and patient configuration. The derived normalised values for effective dose varied approximately between 0.05 and 0.30 mSv per Gy.cm(2) when taking patient sizes and exposure parameters into consideration, the values for organ doses exhibited even larger variation. The study shows a possible systematic error for derived organ doses and effective dose up to a factor of 7 if detailed exposure or patient characteristics are not known and/or not taken into consideration. The intra-treatment variability was also substantial and the normalised dose values varied up to a factor of 2 between image acquisitions during one treatment. The study shows that the use of conversion factors that are not adapted to the clinic can cause the radiation dose to be exaggerated or underestimated considerably. A conclusion from the present study is that the systematic error could be large and should be estimated together with random errors. A large uncertainty makes it difficult to detect true differences in radiation dose between methods and technology-a prerequisite for optimising radiation protection for image-guided treatments.
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| 2. |
- Almén, Anja, 1964, et al.
(författare)
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OPTIMISATION OF OCCUPATIONAL RADIATION PROTECTION IN IMAGE-GUIDED INTERVENTIONS: EXPLORING VIDEO RECORDINGS AS A TOOL IN THE PROCESS
- 2016
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Ingår i: Radiation protection dosimetry. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1742-3406 .- 0144-8420. ; 169:1-4, s. 425-429
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The overall purpose of this work was to explore how video recordings can contribute to the process of optimising occupational radiation protection in image-guided interventions. Video-recorded material from two image-guided interventions was produced and used to investigate to what extent it is conceivable to observe and assess dose-affecting actions in video recordings. Using the recorded material, it was to some extent possible to connect the choice of imaging techniques to the medical events during the procedure and, to a less extent, to connect these technical and medical issues to the occupational exposure. It was possible to identify a relationship between occupational exposure level to staff and positioning and use of shielding. However, detailed values of the dose rates were not possible to observe on the recordings, and the change in occupational exposure level from adjustments of exposure settings was not possible to identify. In conclusion, the use of video recordings is a promising tool to identify dose-affecting instances, allowing for a deeper knowledge of the interdependency between the management of the medical procedure, the applied imaging technology and the occupational exposure level. However, for a full information about the dose-affecting actions, the equipment used and the recording settings have to be thoroughly planned.
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| 3. |
- Almén, Anja, 1964, et al.
(författare)
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Optimisation of occupational radiological protection in image-guided interventions: potential impact of dose rate measurements.
- 2015
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Ingår i: Journal of radiological protection : official journal of the Society for Radiological Protection. - : IOP Publishing. - 1361-6498. ; 35:1, s. 47-62
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The optimisation of occupational radiological protection is challenging and a variety of factors have to be considered. Physicians performing image-guided interventions are working in an environment with one of the highest radiation risk levels in healthcare. Appropriate knowledge about the radiation environment is a prerequisite for conducting the optimisation process. Information about the dose rate variation during the interventions could provide valuable input to this process. The overall purpose of this study was to explore the prerequisite and feasibility to measure dose rate in scattered radiation and to assess the usefulness of such data in the optimisation process.Using an active dosimeter system, the dose rate in the unshielded scattered radiation field was measured in a fixed point close to the patient undergoing an image-guided intervention. The measurements were performed with a time resolution of one second and the dose rate data was continuously timed in a data log. In two treatment rooms, data was collected during a 6month time period, resulting in data from 380 image-guided interventions and vascular treatments in the abdomen, arms and legs. These procedures were categorised into eight types according to the purpose of the treatment and the anatomical region involved.The dose rate varied substantially between treatment types, both regarding the levels and the distribution during the procedure. The maximum dose rate for different types of interventions varied typically between 5 and 100mSvh(-1), but substantially higher and lower dose rates were also registered. The average dose rate during a complete procedure was however substantially lower and varied typically between 0.05 and 1mSvh(-1). An analysis of the distribution disclosed that for a large part of the treatment types, the major amount of the total accumulated dose for a procedure was delivered in less than 10% of the exposure time and in less than 1% of the total procedure time.The present study shows that systematic dose rate measurements are feasible. Such measurements can be used to give a general indication of the exposure level to the staff and could serve as a first risk assessment tool when introducing new treatment types or x-ray equipment in the clinic. For example, it could provide an indication for when detailed eye dose measurements are needed. It also gives input to risk management considerations and the development of efficient routines for other radiological protection measures.
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| 4. |
- Engström, Andreas, 1983, et al.
(författare)
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A case study of cost-benefit analysis in occupational radiological protection within the healthcare system ofSweden
- 2021
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Ingår i: Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics. - : Wiley. - 1526-9914. ; 22, s. 295-304
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of the present study was to demonstrate cases of cost-benefit analysis within healthcare, of how economic factors can be considered in occupational radiological protection, in agreement with the as low as reasonably achievable principle and present Swedish legislations. In the first part of the present study, a comparison of examples within health economics used by authorities and institutes in Sweden was made. The comparison focused on value of a statistical life, quality-adjusted life year, and monetary cost assigned to a unit of collective dose for radiation protection purposes (α-value). By this comparison, an α-value was determined as an interval between $45 and $450 per man-mSv, for the Swedish society in 2021. The α-value interval can be interpreted as following:. Less than $45 per man-mSv is a good investment. From $45 to $450 per man-mSv, other factors than costs and collective dose are important to consider. More than $450 per man-mSv is too expensive. In the second part of the present study, seven cases of cost-benefit analyses in occupational radiological protection were provided. The present study focused specifically on cases where the relevant factors were costs and collective dose. The present case study shows a large variation in costs per collective dose from different types of occupational radiological protection, used at Skaraborg Hospital in Sweden.
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| 5. |
- Engström, Andreas, 1983, et al.
(författare)
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How much resources is it reasonable to spend on occupational radiological protection in Sweden?
- 2024
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Ingår i: European Congress of Radiology.
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- A cost-benefit analysis can show that a specific intervention in occupational radiological protection is reasonable in terms of cost effectiveness, which can be helpful for decision-makers in the healthcare system. In other cases, interventions can be shown not to be reasonable in terms of cost effectiveness, and resources would then be better invested elsewhere within the healthcare system.
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| 6. |
- Engström, Andreas, 1983, et al.
(författare)
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Lead aprons and thyroid collars: to be, or not to be?
- 2023
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Ingår i: Journal of radiological protection : official journal of the Society for Radiological Protection. - 1361-6498. ; 43:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Wearing lead aprons and thyroid collars for long periods of time has a subjective component: to balance the effective dose reduction with the effort of carrying a heavy load. Occupational radiation exposure has decreased dramatically in the last century within the health care system. During the same period the use of lead aprons and thyroid collars has also gone up. Therefore, a question that may be raised is: how safe is safe enough? In order to promote stakeholder involvement, the aim of the present study was to investigate staff's experience of discomforts associated with wearing lead aprons and thyroid collars for long periods of time, and also to investigate staff's willingness to tolerate personal dose equivalent (expressed as radiation dose) and the corresponding increase in future cancer risk to avoid wearing these protective tools. A questionnaire was developed and given to staff working in operating or angiography rooms at Skaraborg Hospital in Sweden. The results from the 245 respondents showed that 51% experienced bothersome warmth, 36% experienced fatigue and 26% experienced ache or pain that they believed was associated with wearing lead aprons. One third of the respondents would tolerate a personal dose equivalent of 1 mSv per year to avoid wearing lead aprons, but only a fifth would tolerate the corresponding increase in future cancer risk (from 43% to 43.2%). In conclusion, discomforts associated with wearing lead aprons and thyroid collars for long periods of time are common for the staff using them. At the same time, only a minority of the staff would tolerate a small increase in future cancer risk to avoid wearing them. The present study gives an example of stakeholder involvement and points at the difficulties in making reasonable decisions about the use of these protective tools.
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| 7. |
- Engström, Andreas, 1983, et al.
(författare)
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Lead aprons: to be, or not to be?
- 2024
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Ingår i: European Congress of Radiology.
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The present study shows that discomforts associated with wearing lead aprons for long periods of time are problematic for the staff using them. At the same time, only a minority of the staff would tolerate a small increase in future cancer risk to avoid wearing them. The present study gives an example of stakeholder involvement and points at the difficulties in making reasonable decisions about the use of radiation protective tools.
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| 8. |
- Ivarsson, Jonas, 1976, et al.
(författare)
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Aligning Video-And Structured Data for Imaging Optimisation.
- 2021
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Ingår i: Radiation protection dosimetry. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1742-3406 .- 0144-8420. ; 195:3-4, s. 134-138
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Imaging optimisation can benefit from combining structured data with qualitative data in the form of audio and video recordings. Since video is complex to work with, there is a need to find a workable solution that minimises the additional time investment. The purpose of the paper is to outline a general workflow that can begin to address this issue. What is described is a data management process comprising the three steps of collection, mining and contextualisation. This process offers a way to work systematically and at a large scale without succumbing to the context loss of statistical methods. The proposed workflow effectively combines the video and structured data to enable a new level of insights in the optimisation process.
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| 9. |
- Larsson, Maria, 1972, et al.
(författare)
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Evaluation of novel radiation protection devices during radiologically guided interventions
- 2024
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Ingår i: CVIR ENDOVASCULAR. - 2520-8934. ; 7:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundIn radiologically guided interventions, medical practitioners are subjected to radiation exposure, which may lead to radiation-induced diseases. In this study, novel radiation shields for the head and neck were evaluated for their potential to reduce radiation exposure.MethodAn anthropomorphic phantom was exposed on its left side to scattered radiation from beneath to simulate the exposure of an operator in a x-ray operating room. Thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) were positioned at different depths in five slices in the phantom, measuring personal dose equivalent. Two different set up situations were evaluated: a head protector designed to reduce radiation in the upper section of the head; and a novel thyroid protector prototype extended in the front and on both sides, designed to reduce radiation in the lower and middle sections of the head. A standard thyroid collar prototype and a ceiling mounted lead glass shield were used as comparisons.Furthermore, the head protector was evaluated in a clinical study in which TLDs were positioned to measure scattered radiation exposure to the heads of operators during endovascular interventions.MethodAn anthropomorphic phantom was exposed on its left side to scattered radiation from beneath to simulate the exposure of an operator in a x-ray operating room. Thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) were positioned at different depths in five slices in the phantom, measuring personal dose equivalent. Two different set up situations were evaluated: a head protector designed to reduce radiation in the upper section of the head; and a novel thyroid protector prototype extended in the front and on both sides, designed to reduce radiation in the lower and middle sections of the head. A standard thyroid collar prototype and a ceiling mounted lead glass shield were used as comparisons.Furthermore, the head protector was evaluated in a clinical study in which TLDs were positioned to measure scattered radiation exposure to the heads of operators during endovascular interventions.ResultsThe extended thyroid protector reduced the scattered radiation in the throat, chin, and ear slices. Some shielding effect was seen in the brain and skull slices. The head protector showed a shielding effect in the skull slice up to two cm depth where it covered the phantom head. As expected, the ceiling mounted lead glass shield reduced the scattered radiation in all measuring points.ConclusionsA ceiling mounted lead glass shield is an effective radiation protection for the head, but in clinical practice, optimal positioning of a ceiling mounted lead shield may not always be possible, particularly during complex cases when radiation protection may be most relevant. Added protection using these novel guards may compliment the shielding effect of the ceiling mounted lead shield. The head protector stand-alone did not provide sufficient protection of the head. The extended thyroid protector stand-alone provided sufficient protection in the lower and middle sections of the head and neck.
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| 10. |
- Lundh, Charlotta, 1977, et al.
(författare)
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A model for evaluating the use of imaging in image-guided interventional procedures-possible implications on optimisation of radiation protection.
- 2021
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Ingår i: Radiation protection dosimetry. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1742-3406 .- 0144-8420. ; 195:3-4, s. 139-144
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The present study focuses on introducing the concept of optimisation and proposing a model, including evaluation of image quality, to be used in the clinical routines where image-guided intervention is being performed. The overall aim of the study was to develop a model for evaluating the use of imaging in X-ray-guided interventional procedures and its possible implications on optimisation of radiation protection. In the search for an adequate evaluation model, data from endovascular interventions of the aorta (EVAR procedures) were used. The procedure was schematically described in steps. Every imaging event was connected to the steps in the medical procedure and was also described with the purpose of the imaging event. Available technical, as well as procedural parameters, were studied and analysed. Data were collected from the X-ray equipment for 70 EVAR procedures and, out of these, 12 procedures were randomly selected to be recorded on video to understand the procedure better. It was possible to describe the EVAR procedures in a general way with explanations of the clinical purpose connected to each imaging event. Possible quality parameters of the procedure were identified for the imaging events (radiation dose, image quality). The model method still needs to be refined and will then be applied to clinical data and to other clinical procedures to test the validity.
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