The August SPR’s Radiological Protection Study Group had as its theme “Dosimetric evaluation in interventional radiology using computational modeling” and was presented by Prof. Dr. William de Souza Santos, who brought numerical dosimetry using the MMC, Monte Carlo Method – a very new technique in Brazil.

The class was divided into:

1.  Interventional Radiology (IR)
2.  Dosimetric quantities
3.  Virtual anthropomorphic simulators
4.  Radiation transport codes
5.  Conversion coefficient in IR
6.  Work developed by the UFU research group

In interventional radiology, Dr. William spoke about its importance, as this specialty of medicine allows the physician to monitor, monitor, and diagnose pathologists through a catheter (angiography —> angioplasty). It is used by several professionals in the health area, also citing interventional cardiology.

The shorter hospital stay and the reduction in hospital costs as one of the great benefits for the patient was also addressed by the professional, who signaled the typical IR scenario as being:

1. Image intensifier
2. X-ray tube
3. Video monitors
4. Patient table
5. Control console
6. Radiation switch

He also pointed out that the medical team is exposed to a considerable radiation field. In addition, he brought aspects that motivate the use of computer simulation:

1. The Monte Carlo Method allows for various combinations of technical parameters
2. Absorbed doses for organs and tissues need to be known with reasonable precision
3. Most studies found in the literature focus on the determination of doses to the skin

He presented some recommendations for the protection of the patient and the medical team, such as:

• Increase the distance between the x-ray tube and the patient;
• Minimize the distance between the patient and the intensifier;
• Minimize fluoroscopy time;
• Avoid exposing the same skin region;
• Use collimation and reduce, when possible, the size of the FOV;
• Avoid field expansion.

Watch the full class (in Portuguese) and understand everything about the method: