A retrospective study quantifies radiation exposure in embolization procedures, suggesting strategies to mitigate it.
Key Points
The study aims to quantify radiation exposure during transvenous embolization for cerebrospinal fluid venous fistulae and identify factors influencing higher doses.
Analyzed consecutive cases of CVF embolizations over a specific period.
Measured kerma-area product (KAP) and reference air kerma (K a,r) during procedures.
Evaluated associations between radiation dose and patient/procedural factors using statistical tests.
Defined diagnostic reference levels (DRL) based on the 75th percentile of measured doses.
Median KAP was 288.3 Gy·cm² and median K a,r was 3.29 Gy.
DRLs were established at 515.7 Gy·cm² for KAP and 4.76 Gy for K a,r.
More than half of the procedures (53.8%) had K a,r greater than 3 Gy.
Higher radiation doses were associated with increased BMI, more embolized levels, and longer procedure times.
No radiation-related skin injuries were recorded in follow-ups.