ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Radiation-induced cataracts represent a relevant risk to people occupationally exposed to radiation. The annual limit dose for the eye lens was reduced to 20â¯mSv per year by German legislation (radiation protect law StrlSchG 2017; 2013/59/Euratom) based on recommendation of International Commission on Radiation Protection (2011 ICRP) to avoid radiation-induced cataracts. OBJECTIVES: Is there a risk of exceeding the annual limit dose for the eye lens in routine urological practice without special radiation protection for the head? METHODS: As part of a prospective, monocentric dosimetry study, of 542 different urological, fluoroscopically guided interventions, the eye lens dose was determined using a forehead dosimeter (thermo-luminescence dosemeter TLD, Chipstrate) over a period of 5 months. RESULTS: An average head dose of 0.05â¯mSv per intervention (max. 0.29â¯mSv) was found with an average dose area product of 485.33â¯Gy/cm2. Significant influencing factors for a higher dose were a higher patient body mass index (BMI), a longer operation time, and a higher dose area product. The level of experience of the surgeon showed no significant influence. DISCUSSION: With 400 procedures per year or an average of 2 procedures per working day, the critical annual limit value for the eye lenses or for the risk of radiation-induced cataract would be exceeded without special protective measures. CONCLUSION: Consistently effective radiation protection of the eye lens is essential for daily work in uroradiological interventions. This may require further technical developments.