COMPARISON OF PERSONNEL RADIATION-DOSIMETRY FROM MYOCARDIAL PERFUSIONSCINTIGRAPHY - TECHNETIUM-99M-SESTAMIBI VERSUS TL-201

The whole-body and hand radiation doses to our technical staff were re trospectively compared for three distinct 4-mo periods when either Tl- 201 or Tc-99m-sestamibi were exclusively used for stress myocardial pe rfusion imaging. During the initial 4-mo period when Tc-99m-sestamibi replaced Tl-201, the mean whole-body film badge readings increased fro m 100 to 450 muSv/mo (p < 0.001) for nuclear medicine technologists (n = 10) and from 240 to 560 muSv/mo (p < 0.05) for radiopharmacy techno logists (n = 2). Mean TLD readings to the hands also increased, althou gh the differences were not statistically significant for the nuclear medicine technologists. Noninvasive cardiology staff were monitored wi th film badges and the mean whole-body film badge reading, when Tc-99m -sestamibi was the imaging agent, was 360 muSv per month. Radiation re duction methods that decreased radiation exposure to staff were utiliz ed. The most effective included the use of a lead face shield and lead lined storage container in the noninvasive imaging area, handling spi lls by shielding instead of decontamination and methods to reduce time spent in close proximity to the patient.