RADIATION EXPOSURE IN INTERVENTIONAL RADI OLOGY AS DEMONSTRATED BY CHEMOEMBOLIZATION OF HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMA AND LASER ANGIOPLASTY OF THE PELVIC ARTERIES

Purpose: Estimation of radiogenic risks for patient and radiologist in chemoembolisation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and laser angiopl asty of the pelvic arteries. Methods: In 5 chemoembolisations of HCC ( 4 males, one female) and G laser angioplasties of the pelvic arteries (5 males, one female) the surface doses received by patient and operat or were measured using thermoluminescent dosimeters in standardised po sitions. The organ doses of the patient were derived by conversion fac tors employed on the measured surface doses. Effective dose was determ ined according to the recommendations of ICRP 60. Results: The risk of letal malignant disease and genetic disorder derived from the doses i n the patient was found to be of the magnitude of 10(-4)-10(-5). The t hresholds for transient erythema of the skin and depression of hematop oiesis carl be reached after high expositions. A theoretical maximum o f 700 laser angioplasties of the pelvic arteries allowable in one year was calculated based on the dose to the operator's left hand. For che moembolisation of HCC, the dose to the left eye lens would reach the y early maximum after approximately 1000 procedures. Remarkable risks fo r malignant disease of skin and thyroid as well as detectable opacitie s of the eye lens can occur after frequent interventions for many year s. Conclusions: Because of the lower life expectancy the patient's ris k for stochastic effect can be seen as mini mal. No clinically relevan t deterministic effects will occur. In the case of frequent interventi ons, the dose absorbed by the radiologist is likely to exceed the pres cribed dose limit and to cause remarkable risk for stochastic and non- stochastic effects after many years.