“Radiological protection in interventional radiology: understanding the concepts of Kerma-area Product (PKA) and Kerma at the Patient Entry Point of Reference (AK)” was the theme of the SPR’s Radiological Protection Study Group in June. Dr. Lucía Canevaro led the presentation and brought some notes on the subject – check out below!

1. The importance of defining quantities and parameters related to risk (damage and detriment) and that can be measured, drawing attention to what happens with radiation:

• Mutation repaired in molecule (organism is constantly fixing errors) -> cell becomes viable
• Cell dies -> unviable cell
• Cell survives, but with mutation -> stochastic effect

2. Try to control or quantify the individual’s risk of being exposed to variation.

3. Check the absorbed dose (physical quantity) – the amount of energy delivered by radiation to matter per unit of mass of irradiated tissue. 

4. Understand the meaning of the quantity we are measuring and its direct relationship with the patient or professional.

5. Correlate the measured value with a certain effect, whether biological or related to image quality.

6. Remember: interventional radiology in radiation exposure is high.

 7. Patient:

• Identify cases that could lead to skin lesions
• Minimize the likelihood of long-term effects 

Watch the whole class (in Portuguese) at: