Risks of Fluoroscopy
Posted on:3/24/2006
| Because fluoroscopy involves the use of x rays, a form of ionizing radiation, all fluoroscopic procedures pose a potential health risk to the patient. |
Because fluoroscopy involves the use of x rays, a form of ionizing radiation, all fluoroscopic procedures pose a potential health risk to the patient. Radiation doses to the patient depend greatly on the size of the patient as well as length of the procedure, with typical skin dose rates quoted as 20-50 mGy/min. Exposure times vary depending on the procedure being performed but procedure times up to 75 minutes have been documented. Because of the long length of some procedures, in addition to standard cancer-inducing stochastic radiation effects, deterministic radiation effects have also been observed ranging from mild erythema, equivalent of a sun burn, to more serious burns.
A study has been performed by the FDA entitled Radiation-induced Skin Injuries from Fluoroscopy with an additional publication to minimize further fluoroscopy-induced injuries, Public Health Advisory on Avoidance of Serious X-Ray-Induced skin Injuries to Patients During Fluroscopically-Guided Procedures.
While deterministic radiation effects are a possible, radiation burns are not typical of standard fluoroscopic procedures. Most procedures sufficiently long in length to produce radiation burns are part of necessary life-saving operations.
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