Measuring radiation exposure of operators engaged in the yttrium-90 microsphere radioembolization treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma patients

Abstract

To validate the radiation safety norms for radiation operators, their exposure to radiation during the yttrium-90 radioembolization treatment of 20 hepatocellular carcinoma patients was measured and evaluated. The mean radioactivity of yttrium-90 used was 2.15 GBq, and the survey meter was placed between the radionuclide source and catheter at a distance of 50 cm. The radiation dose during fluoroscopy was measured for comparison. In addition, the total accumulated exposure to a radiation operator during a treatment was calculated. The results indicated that the mean radiation exposure during fluoroscopy was 459 μSv/h. The mean radiation exposures from the patient after the injection of yttrium-90 were 5.66 μSv/h at 1 min, 5.99 μSv/h at 3 min, 3.97 μSv/h at 5 min, 2.35 μSv/h at 10 min, and 1.98 μSv/h at 1 min. The total calculated accumulated radiation exposure to a operator during the treatment was 0.73 μSv. In conclusion, the radiation exposure to the administering operator was within the safe exposure range.