Markus Borowski PhD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Sarah Wrede, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jürgen Feldmann, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Matthias Luepke, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Heiner Von Boetticher DIPLPHYS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Helmut Kreienfeld, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Hermann Seifert, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Björn Poppe DIPLPHYS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Arndt Rimpler, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

In personal dosimetry active electronic personal dosemeters (APD) are widely used since they hold a couple of advantages over passive dosemeters. They permit an online monitoring of radiation exposure, record a dose history and typically come with alarm functions for dose and dose rate. Unfortunately severe problems are encountered when APD are exposed to pulsed radiation fields of high intensity. So far it is not possible to distinguish between medical procedures and workplaces where APD can be used without restrictions and those where measurement errors have to be expected.  

We created a list of all reasonably possible X-ray examinations in diagnostic radiology, cardiology, surgery and internal medicine (>200 different examinations in total). For each examination the types of potentially used X-ray equipment as well as the positions where personnel could be exposed, were defined. Isodose levels at the workplaces were calculated for all X-ray examinations and equipment. The calculations were verified for standardized exposure conditions. For two commonly used APD the response in pulsed radiation fields of varying dose rate was examined under standardized exposure conditions.  

We worked out for which diagnostic and therapeutic procedures APD can be expected to measure reliably and where relevant measurement errors have to be expected. This information is to be used as a guideline for authorities to decide about workplaces where APD can be accepted.

Despite the knowledge about the technical limitations of APD, in most clinical exposure conditions APD can be expected to work reliably and can thus be accepted for personal dosimetry.

Most X-ray units use pulsed radiation. Active personal dosemeters (APD) have limitations when being used in pulsed X-ray fields. No guidelines on workplaces where APD work reliably exist up to now.

Borowski, M, Wrede, S, Feldmann, J, Luepke, M, Von Boetticher, H, Kreienfeld, H, Seifert, H, Poppe, B, Rimpler, A, Performance of Active Electronic Personal Dosemeters in Radiological Diagnostics.  Radiological Society of North America 2011 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 2, 2011 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2011/11034597.html