Radiation protection is a core element of radiologic technology programmes and daily practice alike. Rad Tech's Guide to Radiation Protection is a comprehensive yet compact guide designed to illuminate the extensive field of radiation protection for technologists, trainees, and radiology students. Organised into ten digestible chapters, the second edition of this popular book provides new discussions of dose factors in computed tomography, the debate concerning the use of the LNT model, Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs), dose optimization, and more.
Written by a recognised expert in medical radiation sciences, this valuable guide:
- Helps students and technologists acquire the skills required to protect patients, personnel, and members of the public in the radiology department
- Reflects the most current standards for radiation protection, with references to relevant organisations and resources
- Covers basic radiobiology, sources of radiation exposure, dose management regulations and optimization, and more
- Presents essential information in a bulleted, easy-to-reference format
Rad Tech's Guide to Radiation Protection is a must-have resource for student radiographers and radiology technologists, particularly those preparing for the American Registry of Radiation Technologist (ARRT) exams.
Table of Contents
Preface to the Second Edition xi
Acknowledgments xiii
1 Nature and Scope of Radiation Protection 1
What is Radiation Protection? 2
Scope of Radiation Protection 2
Diagnostic Radiology Modalities 3
Why Protect Patients and Personnel in Diagnostic Radiology? 3
Framework for Radiation Protection 4
Basic Schemes for Patient Exposure in Digital Radiography, Fluoroscopy, and Computed Tomography 6
Factors Affecting Dose in Diagnostic Radiology 8
Dose Management Techniques 10
Pregnancy: Radiation Protection Considerations 11
2 Diagnostic X-Rays: Essential Physical Factors 13
X-Ray Production 14
Mechanisms for Creating X-Rays 14
X-Ray Spectrum 16
X-Ray Attenuation 20
X-Ray Interactions 23
Increasing kV and Scatter Production 26
3 Radiation Quantities and Units 27
Sources of Radiation Exposure 29
Types of Exposure 30
Quantities and Units for Quantifying Ionizing Radiation 31
Quantities and Units for Quantifying Biologic Risks 33
Radiation Measurement 36
Wearing a Personnel Dosimeter 38
4 Basic Radiobiology 39
What is Radiobiology? 41
Essential Physics and Chemistry 41
Fundamental Concepts of Radiobiology 44
Deterministic Effects (Early Effects of Radiation) 49
Stochastic Effects (Late Effects of Radiation) 51
Radiation Exposure During Pregnancy 54
5 Current Standards for Radiation Protection 55
Radiation Protection Organizations 56
Objectives of Radiation Protection 57
Radiation Protection Criteria and Standards 58
Recommended Dose Limits 60
Diagnostic Reference Levels: A Useful Tool for Optimization of Protection 62
6 Dose Factors in Digital Radiography 65
Digital Radiography: Essential Considerations 66
The Standardized Exposure Indicator: Basics 68
Factors Affecting Dose in Digital Radiography 70
7 Dose Factors in Fluoroscopy 77
Major Components of Fluoroscopic Imaging Systems 78
Factors Affecting Dose in Fluoroscopy 82
Scattered Radiation in Fluoroscopy 87
8 Factors Affecting Dose in Computed Tomography 89
Computed Tomography: A Definition 90
Nobel Prize for CT Pioneers 91
CT Principles: the Basics 91
Multislice CT Technology: The Pitch 93
Dose Distribution in CT 93
CT Dose Metrics 94
Factors Affecting the Dose in CT 96
Dose Optimization in CT 99
9 Dose Management Regulations and Optimization 101
Federal Regulations for Dose Management 103
Equipment Specifications for Radiography 104
Equipment Specifications for Fluoroscopy 106
Procedures for Minimizing Dose to Patients and Personnel 109
Shielding: Design of Protective Barriers 112
Quality Assurance: Dose Management and Optimization 114
10 Pregnancy: Essential Radiation Protection Considerations 117
Rationale for Radiation Protection in Pregnancy 118
Factors Affecting Dose to the Conceptus 119
Estimating the Dose to the Conceptus 120
Continuing/Terminating a Pregnancy After Exposure 120
Dose Reduction Techniques for Pregnant Patients 121
The Pregnant Worker 121
References 125
Index 129
