Radiation Doses to Patients and Personnel Involved in Embolization of Intracerebral Arteriovenous Malformations

Abstract

Radiation doses to patients and personnel were measured during 5 embolization procedures in 5 different patients. Thermoluminescent dosimeters were used to measure the absorbed doses in different points of the skin of patients as well as personnel. A transmission ionization chamber was used to determine the energy imparted in the patients. The effective dose equivalent HE during the procedures was estimated to be in the range of 6 to 43 mSv to the patients, 10 to 26 μSv to the radiologist in charge of the embolizations, 3 to 24 μSv to the assisting radiographer and 13 to 86 μSv to the nurse anesthetist. Radiation doses to the patients were considerable but the estimated risks from radiation were low compared to the risks of the arteriovenous malformation itself and the hazards of the embolization. The annual radiation doses to the personnel were well below established dose limits.