Abstract
We developed a radiation protection device in an attempt to reduce the level of scattered-X-ray in the examination room during ERCP examination. The device has a simple design in which four pieces of lead-woven protection fabric is fixed onto the collimator cover of the fluoroscopic unit with belt and hook-and-loop fastener, and suspended down from the cover. The device is also applicable to other commonly used fluoroscopy unit such as over-tube model, with minor adjustments to the device. The protection device was effective in reducing the level of scattered-X-ray in the examination room specifically near the fixed position of the staff, by 1/50 to 2/3. The level of examinee's effective dose was significantly reduced from its highest value of 3.1 mSv/month to less than 0.1. The level of equivalent dose at lens was also significantly reduced from its highest value of 6.9 mSv/month to 0.5. The level of examinee's exposure to the scattered-X-ray reflected from the device increased by 20%as compare to its level without the device, however, the increase was only less than 0.6%when it is compared to the level of entrance surface dose. The device is assumed to be safe based on these findings.
