Staff dose in fluoroscopy and interventional procedures comes mainly from radiation scattered by the patient. It is reduced by limiting beam-on time, stepping back from the patient, using ceiling-suspended and table-mounted shields, and wearing protective garments, thyroid collars and eye protection, with personal dosimetry to verify the result.
Reviewed 2026-09-24
Where the dose comes from
Protection around an interventional C-arm
- X-ray tube below the table; the beam passes the patient to the detector.
- The patient is the main source of scatter reaching staff.
- Operator: garment with shielding core, collar or cap, and eyewear or face shield.
- Single-use scatter drape placed within the procedure field.
- C-arm accessory fitted to the imaging components; confirm the interface by equipment model.
- Transparent barrier in clear lead acrylic for viewing.
Scatter is strongest on the side where the X-ray tube is. With a tube under the table, the lower body receives more scatter than the head, and the operator’s hands and eyes are often closest to the field.
A layered set of measures
| Measure | Examples |
|---|---|
| Time | Minimize fluoroscopy time; use last-image hold and pulsed modes |
| Distance | Step back during acquisition runs; keep hands out of the primary beam |
| Fixed and mobile shields | Ceiling-suspended screens, table skirts, mobile barriers |
| Personal protective equipment | Protective garments, thyroid collars, eyewear or face shields, caps |
| Patient-side drapes | Single-use scatter drapes placed within the procedure field where instructions permit |
| Monitoring | Personal dosimeters, including eye-lens dosimetry where appropriate |
Choosing protective equipment
Compare garments and eyewear by their lead equivalence at the stated test conditions (for example, IEC 61331 methods), coverage, weight and fit. Inspect garments regularly for cracks, and store them hung rather than folded.
References
- ICRP Publication 117 (2010): Radiological Protection in Fluoroscopically Guided Procedures outside the Imaging Department
- ICRP Publication 118 (2012): Statement on Tissue Reactions
- IEC 61331-1:2014 / IEC 61331-3:2014 Protective devices against diagnostic medical X-radiation
- GBZ 130-2020 放射诊断放射防护要求
This encyclopedia is for general and engineering reference and is not medical advice. Consult radiation protection or medical professionals for individual exposure assessment.