Introduction The exposure of the patients' entourage who underwent vectorized internal radiation therapy is a subject that raises many questions. We have already conducted a study on the entourage of patients treated for thyroid cancer [ [1] Gabriel S. Farman B. Bourrelly M. Carpentier O. Sebag F. Palazzo F.F. et al. Radiation doses to cohabitants of patients undergoing radioiodine ablation for thyroid cancer: poor compliance with radiation protection guidelines but low radiation exposure. Nucl Med Commun. 2011; 32: 829-833 Crossref Scopus (12) Google Scholar ], this time we have focused on patients with hyperthyroidism. These patients do not benefit of any hospitalization, though it is important to know the impact of radiation protection instructions in the exposure of their cohabitants. Material and method For this study, we have solicited the entourage of 34 patients treated for hyperthyroidism by administering radioiodine capsule. These people agreed to be dose-monitored wearing an OSL (Optically Stimulated Luminescence) dosimeter on a collar during 10 days, noting the details of their days, the hours and distance passed in the presence of the treated patient. We have analyzed their responses and mapped their exposure. Results The entourage exposure is of course related to the administered activity (fixed dose based on thyroid hormone levels). However, the link between the patient and the monitored person of his entourage, helps to define two distinct classes: Parents (20) and Spouses (14). The results show that spouses are more exposed than parents. However, in both cases, we measured exposures exceeding 1 mSv (10% of parents and 14% for spouses), the public's exposure limit. Conclusion It is important to provide radiation protection instructions to outgoing vectorized internal radiation therapy's patients, as well as their entourage, for both thyroid cancer and hyperthyroidism. Note that the non-compliance with these instructions can result an exposure exceeding 1 mSv, the public's exposure limit.

Introduction The Yttrium 90 handling in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma exposes several workers. We have conducted a study to know the exposure of radiopharmacists during the preparation of the microspheres to be administrated, interventional radiologists during hepatic radioembolization and nuclear physicians during the slow administration of microspheres. Materials and method For this study we used, for the thorax dose, electronic dosimeters EPD Mk 2.3, and for the finger dose, thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) LiF GR 200 A and the appropriate measurement system PCL3 (Fimel, France). Electronic dosimeters were worn on the chest, under and over the lead apron, in angiography room, and TLD dosimeters were worn on fingers, under the gloves, at thumb, index and middle finger. Results The significant exposures are those of fingers. The radiopharmacists are exposed to about 1000 lSv/treatment, nuclear physicians to 100 lSv/treatment and interventional radiologists to 91 lSv/treatment. Conclusion Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with Yttrium 90 microspheres exposes particularly the workers' fingers, especially radiopharmacists but also nuclear physicians and interventional radiologists, performing this treatment. The serious use of radiation protection tools ensures a low exposure to all staff. Moreover, the experience can gain preparation speed for radiopharmacists, which leads to a reduction of the exposure. This study will be renewed to reflect changes in exposure over time.

CONTEXT:A few prospective studies have evaluated the use of recombinant human TSH (rhTSH) for radioiodine remnant ablation.OBJECTIVE:Our objective was to compare the effects of the both TSH regimens on iodine biokinetics in the thyroid remnant, dosimetry, and radiation protection.DESIGN:We conducted a prospective randomized study.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Eighty-eight patients were enrolled for radioiodine ablation to either the hypothyroid or rhTSH arms. A whole-body scan was performed at 48 and 144 h after therapy. Dose rates were assessed at 24, 48, and 144 h. Urinary samples were obtained during the first 48 h. Thyroglobulin was assessed before and after therapy. Iodine biokinetics in the remnants were calculated from gamma-count rates. Radiation-absorbed dose was calculated using OLINDA software. Exposure estimation was based on a validated model.RESULTS:The effective half-life in the remnant thyroid tissue was significantly longer after rhTSH than during hypothyroidism (P = 0.01), whereas 48-h (131)I uptakes and residence times were similar. After therapy, thyroglobulin release (a marker of cell damage) was lower in the rhTSH arm. The mean total-body effective half-life and residence time were shorter in patients treated after rhTSH. Residence time was also lower for the colon and stomach. Absorbed dose estimates were lower in the rhTSH arm for the lower large intestine, breasts, ovaries, and the bone marrow. Dose rates at the time of discharge were lower in the rhTSH group with a reduction in cumulative radiation exposure to contact persons.CONCLUSIONS:In comparison with thyroid hormone withdrawal, rhTSH is associated with longer remnant half-life of radioactive iodine while also reducing radiation exposure to the rest of the body and also to the general public who come in contact with such patients.

Objective. Compare the irradiation delivered in conventional radiography and digital radiography by image intensifier during a scoliosis workup.Patients and Methods. Our prospective randomized study included 105 patients, all of whom were identified according to sociodemographic parameters as well as criteria evaluating the quality of the full front spinal x-ray at PA incidence. The entry dose at the scapula and the exit close in interorbital, thyroid, mammary, and hypogastric projection was measured by thermoluminescent dosimeters.Results. The results of 71 girls and 28 boys, aged a mean 13.8 years with a mean weight of 47 kg were analyzed. At equal image quality, the entry dose was not significantly different between the two techniques; the mean exit dose reduction was 64% during digital acquisition. This reduction involved the interorbital (162%), mammary (43%), and thyroid (309%) regions. However, this system is more irradiating in the hypogastric region (34%).Conclusion. The dosimetric evaluation of the different imaging techniques used to explore the entirety of the spine should be part of radiologists' quality standard used to document their work and their choices.

OBJECTIVECompare the irradiation delivered in conventional radiography and digital radiography by image intensifier during a scoliosis workup.PATIENTS AND METHODSOur prospective randomized study included 105 patients, all of whom were identified according to sociodemographic parameters as well as criteria evaluating the quality of the full front spinal x-ray at PA incidence. The entry dose at the scapula and the exit dose in interorbital, thyroid, mammary, and hypogastric projection was measured by thermoluminescent dosimeters.RESULTSThe results of 71 girls and 28 boys, aged a mean 13.8 years with a mean weight of 47 kg were analyzed. At equal image quality, the entry dose was not significantly different between the two techniques; the mean exit dose reduction was 64% during digital acquisition. This reduction involved the interorbital (162%), mammary (43%), and thyroid (309%) regions. However, this system is more irradiating in the hypogastric region (34%).CONCLUSIONThe dosimetric evaluation of the different imaging techniques used to explore the entirety of the spine should be part of radiologists' quality standard used to document their work and their choices.

OBJECTIVE The use of 18F-FDG for clinical PET studies increases technologist radiation dose exposure because of the higher gamma-radiation energy of this isotope than of other conventional medical gamma-radiation-emitting isotopes. Therefore, 18F-FDG imaging necessitates stronger radiation protection requirements. The aims of this study were to assess technologist whole-body and extremity exposure in our PET department and to evaluate the efficiency of our radiation protection devices (homemade syringe drawing device, semiautomated injector, and video tracking of patients). METHODS Radiation dose assessment was performed for monodose as well as for multidose 18F-FDG packaging with both LiF thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLD) and electronic personal dosimeters (ED) during 5 successive 18F-FDG PET steps (from syringe filling to patient departure). RESULTS The mean +/- SD total effective doses received by technologists (n = 50) during all of the working steps were 3.24 +/- 2.1 and 3.01 +/- 1.4 microSv, respectively, as measured with ED and TLD (345 +/- 84 MBq injected). These values were confirmed by daily TLD technologist whole-body dose measurements (2.98 +/- 1.8 microSv; 294 +/- 78 MBq injected; n = 48). Finger irradiation doses during preparation of single 18F-FDG syringes were 204.9 +/- 24 and 198.4 +/- 23 microSv with multidose vials (345 +/- 93 MBq injected) and 127.3 +/- 76 and 55.9 +/- 47 microSv with monodose vials (302 +/- 43 MBq injected) for the right hand and the left hand, respectively. The protection afforded by the semiautomated injector, estimated as the ratio of the doses received by TLD placed on the syringe shield and on the external face of the injector, was near 2,000. CONCLUSION These results showed that technologist radiation doses in our PET department were lower than those reported in the literature. This finding may be explained by the use of a homemade syringe drawing device, a semiautomated injector, and patient video tracking, allowing a shorter duration of contact between the technologist and the patient. Extrapolation of these results to an annual dose (4 patients per day per technologist) revealed that the annual extrapolated exposure values remained under the authorized limits for workers classified to work in a radioactivity-controlled area.