Radiation protection and personal dosimetry in a core facility for multimodal small animal imaging

Anna Schildt; Peter Sänger; Matthias Lütgens; Stefan Polei; Chris Lappe; Markus Joksch; Bernd Joachim Krause; Brigitte Vollmar; Marc-André Weber; Tobias Lindner

doi:10.1055/a-2462-2419

RöFo - Fortschritte auf dem Gebiet der Röntgenstrahlen und der bildgebenden Verfahren, Table of Contents

Rofo
DOI: 10.1055/a-2462-2419

Review

Radiation protection and personal dosimetry in a core facility for multimodal small animal imaging

Article in several languages: English | deutsch

Anna Schildt

¹Core Facility Multimodal Small Animal Imaging, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany (Ringgold ID: RIN39071)

,

Peter Sänger

²Radiation Protection Office, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany (Ringgold ID: RIN39071)

,

Matthias Lütgens

²Radiation Protection Office, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany (Ringgold ID: RIN39071)

³Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Pediatric Radiology and Neuroradiology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany (Ringgold ID: RIN39071)

,

Stefan Polei

³Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Pediatric Radiology and Neuroradiology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany (Ringgold ID: RIN39071)

,

Chris Lappe

³Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Pediatric Radiology and Neuroradiology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany (Ringgold ID: RIN39071)

,

Markus Joksch

¹Core Facility Multimodal Small Animal Imaging, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany (Ringgold ID: RIN39071)

,

Bernd Joachim Krause

¹Core Facility Multimodal Small Animal Imaging, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany (Ringgold ID: RIN39071)

⁴Department of Nuclear Medicine, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany (Ringgold ID: RIN39071)

,

Brigitte Vollmar

¹Core Facility Multimodal Small Animal Imaging, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany (Ringgold ID: RIN39071)

⁵Rudolf-Zenker-Institute for Experimental Surgery, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany (Ringgold ID: RIN39071)

,

Marc-André Weber

¹Core Facility Multimodal Small Animal Imaging, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany (Ringgold ID: RIN39071)

³Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Pediatric Radiology and Neuroradiology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany (Ringgold ID: RIN39071)

,

Tobias Lindner

¹Core Facility Multimodal Small Animal Imaging, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany (Ringgold ID: RIN39071)

³Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Pediatric Radiology and Neuroradiology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany (Ringgold ID: RIN39071)

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Background

Clinical imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET) in combination with computed tomography (CT) are increasingly being used in biomedical research involving small animal models. The handling of open radioactive substances (radiopharmaceuticals) necessary for PET imaging requires prior official authorization for handling, the application of radiation protection principles, and regular training. The overriding aim of radiation protection is to protect the personnel directly involved, other persons, and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation.

Method

This paper aims to provide an overview of the regulatory requirements of the Radiation Protection Act (StrlSchG), the Radiation Protection Ordinance (StrlSchV), and the associated standards and guidelines. Furthermore, their implementation in practical work in small animal imaging using PET/CT is shown. We will focus on the individual steps of the imaging process, from delivery of the radiopharmaceuticals to waste disposal. This should provide interested researchers with an initial overview of the safe and successful use of the method. In addition, exposure values from the last six years in the literature were analyzed. While personal dosimetric monitoring in clinical PET/CT imaging has been extensively published, there is no published data known to us for personnel for PET/CT research with small animals. The evaluation of the personal dosimetric monitoring of our small animal imaging facility with 7 employees over 4 years revealed an increased personal and finger dose normalized to the injected activity and compared to human PET/CT imaging. Nevertheless, the annual personal dose or annual finger dose in small animal imaging (Hp(10): 1.7 mSv, Hp(0.07): 64 mSv) is lower than for personnel performing human PET/CT imaging at the local University Department of Nuclear Medicine (Hp(10): 3.8 mSv, Hp(0.07): 156 mSv) or published values, and is well below the legally permissible maximum dose of 20 or 500 mSv per year.

Conclusion

The increasing use of PET/CT in small animal research can be safely utilized if the radiation protection principles are implemented and continuously trained.

Key Points

PET/CT imaging in small animals is increasingly used in biomedical research.
Radiation protection laws and guidelines have to be known and are relevant in animal experiments.
Compared to published values from human medicine, activity-specific employee doses are increased in the presented imaging facility.
The legal personal dose in the studied imaging facility is below legal limits.

Citation Format

Schildt A, Sänger P, Lütgens M et al. Radiation protection and personal dosimetry in a core facility for multimodal small animal imaging. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2024; DOI 10.1055/a-2462-2419

Keywords

radiation safety - personal dosimetry - small animal imaging

Full Text

References

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