Removal of scatter radiation in paediatric cardiac catheterisation: a randomised controlled clinical trial

This study sought to determine if DNA integrity was compromised by ionising radiation
from paediatric cardiac catheterisations and if dose optimisation techniques allowed DNA integrity
to be maintained. Materials and methods . Children were imaged using either: (i) an anti-scatter
grid (current departmental protocol), (ii) no anti-scatter grid or, (iii) no anti-scatter grid and a
15 cm air-gap between the child and the x-ray detector. Dose area product and image quality were
assessed, lifetime attributable cancer risk estimates were calculated and DNA double-strand
breakages quantified using the γ H2AX assay. Results . Consent was obtained from 70
parents/guardians/children. Image quality was sufficient for each procedure performed. Removal of
the anti-scatter grid resulted in dose reductions of 20% (no anti-scatter grid) and 30% (15 cm
air-gap), DNA double-strand break reductions of 30% (no anti-scatter grid) and 20% (15 cm air-gap)
and a re...

Source: Journal of Radiological Protection - August 30, 2017 Category: Physics Authors: Richard Gould, Sonyia L McFadden, Andrew J Sands, Brian A McCrossan, Simon Horn, Kevin M Prise, Philip Doyle and Ciara M Hughes Source Type: research