Texray AB | Gothenburg, Sweden | January 27, 2022 |
Mr. Felix Bärenfänger, Prof. Stefan Rohde, and Klinikum Dortmund, Germany, recently performed a clinical evaluation of Texray head and neck protectors. The study is now published in the European Journal of Radiology.
Texray headband, HeadPeace, and an extended thyroid collar, MindPeace, were tested during 20 general radiological and 32 neuroradiological interventions under real-life conditions. The clinical evaluation concluded a significant dose reduction of 80–90%, with a mean of 81.2 ± 11.1 % (general radiology) and 92.1 ± 4.2 % (neuroradiology), depending on the type of intervention and protective device*.
Unexpected high radiation doses towards the head
An unexpected finding during the study revealed a radiation exposure of the head and neck area with cumulative local dose values up to 4.4 mSv, in a relatively small sample of procedures. This finding is surprisingly high, as experienced operators performed the interventions, and lead protection shields were used in all procedures.1
“We believe that an additional device for the head area is reasonable because usage of the devices yielded effective protection. I was really surprised to see how much scatter radiation is still arriving on the performing physician, although we are already using all these different lead shields and radiation protection devices,” concludes Prof. Stefan Rohde.
On behalf of Texray, I would like to congratulate Mr. Bärenfänger, Prof. Rohde, and colleagues for this valuable publication. As one champion once told me, “Teach your fellows not only about interventions but also about radiation.” The study clearly gives us a perspective on whether there is really something like too much protection? The results allow us tremendous support in our continuous strive for improving the working environment for millions of medical practitioners exposed to radiation while saving the lives of others, says Petra Apell, Founder and CEO at Texray.
To read the article in full, please go to the European Journal of Radiology /ELSEVIER: Clinical evaluation of a novel head protection system for interventional radiologists
*HeadPeace resulted in a mean dose reduction of 75.5 % (general radiology) and 90.3 % (neuroradiology). The use of MindPeace resulted in a mean dose reduction of 95.5 % (general radiology) and 96.7 % (neuroradiology).
