European consensus on patient contact shielding

Patient contact shielding has been in use for many years in radiology departments in order to reduce the effects and risks of ionising radiation on certain organs. New technologies in projection imaging and CT scanning such as digital receptors and automatic exposure control (AEC) systems have reduced doses and improved image consistency. These changes and a greater understanding of both the benefits and the risks from the use of shielding have led to a review of shielding use in radiology. A number of professional bodies have already issued guidance in this regard. This paper represents the current consensus view of the main bodies involved in radiation safety and imaging in Europe: European Federation of Organisations for Medical Physics, European Federation of Radiographer Societies, European Society of Radiology, European Society of Paediatric Radiology, EuroSafe Imaging, European Radiation Dosimetry Group (EURADOS), and European Academy of DentoMaxilloFacial Radiology (EADMFR). It is based on the expert recommendations of the Gonad and Patient Shielding (GAPS) Group formed with the purpose of developing consensus in this area. The recommendations are intended to be clear and easy to use. They are intended as guidance, and they are developed using a multidisciplinary team approach. It is recognised that regulations, custom and practice vary widely on the use of patient shielding in Europe and it is hoped that these recommendations will inform a change management program that will benefit patients and staff.     

Radiation-Shielding Devices: The Best Combination for Spine Interventional Procedures

PurposeAlthough many studies have examined the efficiency of various protective devices for reducing the dose of radiation exposure to physicians during interventional pain procedures, no study has compared the protective effect of these devices when they are used in combination. The purpose of this prospective experimental study was to determine the best combination of radiation-shielding devices.Materials and MethodsUsing anthropomorphic phantoms of a physician and patient, we measured the radiation protection efficiency (RPE) of each of the following protection methods and in combination during C-arm–guided simulated lumbar epidural injection: (a) personal protective equipment (PPE), (b) bedside curtain shield (Curtain), (c) x-ray tube filter (Filter), and (d) fluoroscopic collimation method (Collimation). We measured exposure doses using personal electronic dosimeters at the eye, thyroid, and gonad levels for 1 minute. Each experiment was repeated 15 times.ResultsThe radiation exposure dose and RPE with the best single-, double-, and triple-protection methods were as follows: PPE for the single-protection method (11.82 μSv/min, 80.04%), PPE + Collimation for the double-combination method (4.68 μSv/min, 92.09%), and PPE + Collimation + Curtain for the triple-combination method (3.08 μSv/min, 93.39%). Additionally, PPE + Collimation + Curtain + Filter for the quadruple-combination method resulted in a radiation exposure and RPE of 2.91 μSv/min and 93.61%, respectively, compared with nonprotection.ConclusionsThe best single-, double-, and triple-protection method was PPE, PPE + Collimation, and PPE + Collimation + Curtain, respectively. While preparing protective equipment, we recommend prioritizing equipment in this order.     

新型胸骨环抱器结合钢丝固定胸骨的临床效果

目的探讨新型胸骨环抱器结合钢丝固定胸骨在成人心脏正中切口直视手术中的应用效果。 方法回顾性分析2016年1月至2017年12月期间在临沂市人民医院心脏血管外科接受手术治疗的328例心脏大血管疾病患者临床资料，按胸骨固定方法不同分为对照组159例和研究组169例。其中对照组采用传统的钢丝将锯开的胸骨左右两侧缝合，后收紧钢丝、合拢胸骨并拧紧钢丝，予以固定胸骨；研究组采用钢丝对合锯开胸骨的基础上放置新型环抱器固定胸骨。分析2组患者关胸时间(关胸开始到皮肤切口缝合结束的时间)、二次开胸止血(胸骨相关)率、术后24 h引流量、术后切口、胸骨感染或胸骨裂开率、术后胸痛不适发生率以及术后住院时间。患者出院后通过门诊、电话询问进行随访。数据比较采用t检验和χ²检验。 结果关胸术后，对照组1例患者因急性A型主动脉夹层术后急性肾功能衰竭死亡，其余所有患者均痊愈出院。研究组患者关胸时间(32.3±7.3) min，明显少于对照组(51.5±8.4) min，差异有统计学意义(t＝－22.113，P<0.05)。胸骨相关的二次开胸止血，研究组发生1例，而对照组发生6例，2组比较差异有统计学意义(χ²＝3.969，P＝0.046)。研究组术后24 h引流量(372.8±213.1) mL，少于对照组(538.9±202.6) mL，2组比较差异有统计学意义(t＝－7.224，P<0.05)。研究组术后未见切口和胸骨感染和(或)裂开，而对照组感染和(或)裂开共7例，其中胸骨裂开4例，早期予以新型环抱器重新固定胸骨，治愈出院；切口感染2例，予以换药后重新缝合切口后治愈；胸骨感染1例，予以胸骨清创加胸大肌肌瓣转移手术后康复出院，2组比较差异有统计学意义(χ²＝7.599，P<0.05)。研究组术后出现胸痛不适2例，而对照组7例，2组比较差异有统计学意义(χ²＝4.101，P＝0.043)。研究组患者术后住院时间(8.6±4.1) d，少于对照组(10.5±3.4) d，2组比较差异有统计学意义(t＝－4.467，P<0.05)。患者出院后随访(11.3±4.9)个月，所有患者均未见胸骨感染及裂开。 结论新型胸骨环抱器结合钢丝固定胸骨手术切口，与传统手术相比操作简单、固定牢固，在缩短关胸手术时间、减少术后切口并发症、缩短住院时间等方面优势明显，可以广泛使用于成人心脏外科正中手术切口。     

Pulmonary tuberculosis

We present a case of previously undiagnosed and unsuspected pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) identified on post mortem histology. The presentation of TB in the mortuary is reviewed and we present the key learning points regarding dealing with this infection in the post mortem patient.Trainees should appreciate that although a rare occurrence, pulmonary TB may go undiagnosed until after death, and given its ability to survive in the post mortem patient, the use of personal protective equipment is paramount.