radiation protection

gonadal shielding

protects the child’s gonads from radiation which may produce deleterious effects in their offspring

how much lead must be used for gonadal shielding?

0.5 mm of lead (Pb)

when are gonad shielding used?

used if the gonads lie within the primary beam or within close proximity of 2'“ despite proper beam collimation

types of gonad shielding (3)

flat contact shield, shaped contact shield, and shadow shiled

who are shields used for?

anyone in the reproductive age

what is the most effective way of using a flat shield?

when the pt is supine or laying down

what are the advantages of using a shaped shield? (3)

• good for oblique positions as well as supine and prone

• does not have to be repositioned for each view

• acceptable for selected fluoroscopic exams

how is a shadow shield used?

suspended over the patient’s body to cast a shadow in the primary beam over the area of the gonads

what is essential when utilizing a shadow shield?

accurate patient positioning

what are the advantages of a shadow shield? (3)

• can be attached to x-ray tube

• adequate for sterile procedures

• maintains modesty

why is it important to remove clothing, bandages, and diapers from the area to be examined prior to an exam?

these items will show up in the radiograph which will result in a repeat therefore increasing pt dose

does motion account for more repeats in children or adults?

children

ways to minimize motion (5)

• cooperation

• short exposure times

• mechanical immobilization devices

• sedation (rare)

• patient holding (rare)

when is patient holding used?

only in emergency when all other resources have failed but usually NEVER

the smaller the field, the _______ patient exposure

less

why is collimation important?

small increases in field size from the area of interest can increase total exposure

what do we collimate to?

the area of interest

what kind of grids should be used for larger infants and children?

low ratio grids

what do personnel or parents have to wear during radiation exposure?

leaded gloves and aprons