RE: Equine Radiography

["Bill Ulicny" <bulicny@scainc.com>]

I have recently had occasion to observe radiological protection practices at

a "large animal" veterinary hospital (focus on equines).  The majority of

films required not only a technician to hold the film in place, but another

to steady the horse, and a third to aim and shoot the beam.  The beam

operator received the least dose, the animal "steadier" received the next

least, and the film holder received the most.



The film holder used a lead-lined glove.  An extension rod was available,

but it did not allow the user to hold the film steady and keep the film

cartridge from startling the horse.  The site rotated worker positions

throughout the day to distribute the dose.



It is an interesting health physics situation, and one that is not normally

associated with medical x-rays.  However, I have also recently observed

pediatric x-ray procedures, and similar worker exposure situations can be

found.  An added obstacle is that sometimes the owner or parent has to be in

the room to steady the animal or child, respectively.



Bill Ulicny

SC&A





-----Original Message-----

From: owner-radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu

[mailto:owner-radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu]On Behalf Of

alstonchris@netscape.net

Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2002 12:29 PM

To: radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu

Subject: Equine Radiography





>Date:    Tue, 15 Oct 2002 12:23:22 +0930

>From:    "Crawford, Leonie (EPA)" <Leonie.Crawford@DHS.SA.GOV.AU>

>Subject: EQUINE RADIOGRAPHY

>

>The Aushorse and Thoroughbred breeders association have recently announced

>an X-ray policy for yearling sales to be held next year.  The policy is

>simular to one developed by Keeneland ( USA,s biggest sales company) over

>the last 5 years. 34 X-rays are requires for each yearling and must be

taken

>within 42 days of the commencement of sale.  Horses sold into Hong Kong

have

>42 films taken.  Some sites are having their weanlings X-rayed to detect

>early problems that can be remedied prior to being sold as yearlings.

>Approximately 22 films are taken.  All of the above does not include any

>repeats required.  Recent research into how the radiography is conducted

has

>shown that: 1.All x-ray cassettes are being hand held, 2.Veterinary

surgeons

>are hand holding the portable x-ray units to do the radiography.  Having

>seen the procedure in part, I can understand why they employ these

>techniques. With the new X-ray screening protocol coming into force in

>Australia, the high  number of films being taken by a small pool of persons

>and the radiation doses of persons involved in the procedure will receive

>should be of concern.  Does anybody have any information or knows of

surveys

>carried out to evaluate the radiation doses received by veterinary surgeons

>in the USA involved in these screening procedures for yearlings?  One local

>veterinary clinic here will probably do 150 to 200 horses.

>

>

>Leonie Crawford

>Specialist Radiation Protection Officer

>Radiation Protection Branch

>Tel: 81300715

>Fax: 81300777

>Email: Leonie.Crawford@saugov.sa.gov.au

>

>"The information in this e-mail may be confidential and/or legally

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>81300715."





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