Patient-protective Radiation Protection Shields Used During Computed Tomography (CT) Examinations Reduce the Scattered Dose in CT Room
Objective: This study aimed to conduct a comparative analysis of the computed tomography (CT) scatter radiation dose healthcare workers are exposed to with and without the radiation protection shields (RPS). Methods: A helical scan of a routine triple-phase liver CT protocol was performed using a tissue-equivalent phantom via a 64-detector-row CT scanner. Scattered doses were measured and compared with and without RPS wrapped around the neck to chest outside the imaging area using a calibrated pocket electron dosimeter. We measured at 50 cm, 100 cm and 150 cm above the floor at a total of 57 points in front, to the side and behind the gantry, at 50 cm intervals from the centre of the gantry. The heights of 50 cm, 100 cm and 150 cm from the floor assume the estimated positions of the gonads, mammary glands and lens, respectively. Results: Using RPS outside the imaging area reduced the scattered dose by about 10% at all measurement positions and heights (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The use of RPS on patients during CT examinations reduces the scattered dose in the CT room by approximately 10%.
