Critical organ dose evaluation during interventional stroke imaging: Implications for radiation safety.

INTRODUCTION

Neurointerventional stroke imaging involves prolonged fluoroscopy and multiple angiographic acquisitions, potentially delivering meaningful radiation doses to radiosensitive head and neck organs. This study quantified organ-specific absorbed doses under clinically realistic conditions.

METHODS

Organ doses were measured using calibrated MTS-100 LiF:Mg,Ti thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD-100) placed in an Alderson Rando anthropomorphic phantom. Simulated stroke imaging was performed on a Siemens Artis Zee C-arm system using routine clinical parameters. TLDs were calibrated under RQR-9 beam quality at an accredited SSDL and read with a Harshaw 4500 reader.

RESULTS

The highest absorbed doses occurred in the left parotid gland and C1-C2 vertebral level. Bilateral thyroid doses averaged ∼4.6 mGy, and eye lens doses ranged from 5.6 to 11.5 mGy. Dose distribution showed marked spatial variability, reflecting projection geometry and scatter contributions.

CONCLUSION

Although measured single-session doses were below deterministic thresholds, cumulative exposure during repeated or prolonged interventions may become clinically significant.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The findings support the need for strict collimation, optimized projection angles, pulsed fluoroscopy, and continuous dose monitoring to minimize patient and staff exposure while maintaining diagnostic image quality.