Radiation doses to the legs of radiologists performing interventional procedures: are they a cause for concern?

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the magnitude and distribution of doses to the legs of radiologists when performing interventional procedures. LiF:Mg,Ti TLD100 chips were used to measure simultaneously doses to the lower limbs and, for comparison, the hands during 100 interventional procedures. Results show leg dose was dependent upon type and complexity of procedure, equipment used and whether lead protection was available. Where no lead protection was used, the doses to the lower limbs were frequently similar to or higher than those received by the hands. The mean dose to the legs ranged from 0.19 mSv to 2.61 mSv per procedure, compared with 0.04 mSv to 1.25 mSv to the hands. During transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt and embolisation procedures the leg dose could be as much as 2-3 times greater than that to the hands. When lead protection was used, the dose to the legs was reduced significantly to 0.02 mSv to 0.5 mSv per procedure. A clear linear relationship was shown between the dose-area product (DAP) reading and the dose to the feet of the radiologist. As a "rule of thumb", a DAP reading of 100 Gy cm(2) will give a dose of 1 mSv to the legs, if no lead protection was used, dropping to approximately 0.02 mSv if lead protection was present. This study demonstrates that the dose to the legs of radiologists can be higher than that to the hands when no lead protection is used. The inclusion of a lead screen to protect the legs is an effective method of dose reduction when performing interventional procedures.