Radiation exposure to the primary operator during endovascular surgical neuroradiology procedures.

Endovascular surgical neuroradiologists can receive a substantial amount of occupational radiation exposure. We evaluated the amount of radiation exposure that results from the practice of performing hand injections during digital subtraction angiography (DSA). The primary operator can significantly decrease the radiation dose by leaving the room for DSA procedures. However, the total radiation dose for the primary operator is relatively low and is certainly within allowable regulatory limits when extrapolated to a yearly dose.