Patient dose measurement with fluorescent glass dosimeter. Characteristics evaluation and patient skin dose measurement in abdominal interventional radiology

In this study, we investigated the usefulness of the fluorescent glass dosimeter for measuring patient dose. The fluorescent glass dosimeter is constructed of a glass element and its holder. One type has a tin (Sn) filter and the other does not. The characteristics of these two types of fluorescent glass dosimeters were studied in the range of diagnostic X-ray energy. The result was excellent for each characteristic. Directional dependency, however, was recognized in the fluorescent glass dosimeter with tin (Sn) filter. Based on these evaluations, patient skin dose was measured for abdominal interventional radiology and diagnostic digital subtraction angiography using the holder without filter, which is less direction-dependent and eliminates obstructive shadows in radiography and fluoroscopy. The average skin dose of 30 patients for abdominal interventional radiology (IVR) was 1.17±0.44 Gy (0.51-1.94 Gy), while those for diagnostic DSA examination was 0.54±0.21 Gy (0.15-1.02 Gy). The fluorescent glass dosimeter provides high capability for skin dose measurement. The fluorescent glass dosimeter is also useful for controlling patient dose during IVR procedures. (author)