Comparing Occupational Exposure from 18F-FDG Injection Procedure Using a Traditional Injection Method Versus an Automated Injection System.

We evaluated occupational radiation exposure associated with 18F-FDG injection using a traditional manual approach versus an automated injection system.

Methods

Wrist and whole-body radiation exposure of nuclear medicine personnel using a manual injection method versus an automated injection system for 18F-FDG administration were assessed using electronic personal dosimeters. Radiation exposure while configuring both systems was also evaluated. The dose administered met the requirements of the "as low as reasonably achievable" principle. Radiation exposure during initial setup and dose administration, residual activity, dose accuracy, presence of contamination, and frequency of extravasation were compared between methods.

Results

Compared with the traditional manual method, use of the automated injection system resulted in significantly lower mean radiation exposure to medical physicists' wrists (P < 0.01). Radiation exposure was 79.41% lower at the wrist while using the automated injection system. Differences in whole-body radiation exposure were not significant between injection methods (P < 0.56). The overall radiation dose per injection at the wrist and in the whole body and mean residual activity after injection were noticeably lower with the automated system (P < 0.01), with mean residual activity decreasing by 73.58%.

Conclusion

The overall radiation exposure for nuclear medicine personnel was significantly decreased when administering 18F-FDG via an automated injection system.