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Re: I-125 Seed Implant Safety - Part 2
The answer is no, leaden armor is not worn by the implanting physicians. The
reason is that there is no significant exposure. The seeds (effective E = 28
keV for the Model 6711, I think) are already inside the stainless steel
needles, which are further shielded by the template boxes, except for the
tiny amount of time it takes to carry a needle from the box to the
implanting template; after that, of course, they're in the patient. As far
as leaded eyeglasses, remember that the annual maximum exposure, to the lens
of the eye is 15 rem. Leaden gloves would make handling the needles a clumsy
business; please remember that the maximum annual dose to the extremities is
50 rem; and, we're not talking about interventional radiology, where the
physician might have his hands in a 3 R/min beam. The apron, even a 0.25mm
equivalent, would just get in his way, and sap his energy. It would also
have to be cleaned between patients (or should be). Even if the loading
physician gets a little fancy, and reloads a needle, or two, once in a
while, in the O.R., the cumulative exposure is not usually measurable, with
monthly badges worn at the collar.
chris alston
At 04:33 08/27/98 -1000, you wrote:
>Thanks to all who replied publically and privately with exposure rate data
>regarding I-12 seed implants. I have another question:
>
>The physics staff will build the preloaded needles using the L-Block with
>leaded glasss window for shielding. But what about the physicians
>implanting these needles? Do they wear leaded aprons, leaded surgical
>gloves, or leaded eyeglasses when performing this procedure?
>
>(You get extra credit for explaining why or why not.)
>
> *****
>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Medphys at:
>http://www.mindspring.com/~sherouse/MPFAQ/
>
>Archives of recent Medphys postings at:
>http://www.escribe.com/medicine/medphys/
>
Chris Alston
alstonc@odrge.odr.georgetown.edu
I am not here a representative of my employer.
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