Automated Injectors versus Manual Administration: A Comparative Analysis of Radiation Exposure Reduction in F-FDG Delivery.

 Despite the presence of safety protocols, the manual manipulation of radiopharmaceuticals continues to pose a significant occupational radiation risk. Health care professionals in nuclear medicine are at risk of radiation exposure, particularly to their hands and eyes. Despite existing protective measures, manual handling of radiopharmaceuticals remains a significant source of occupational radiation.

Mandatory Requirements for Planning and Commissioning of Medical Cyclotron Facility.

Over the last 15 years, there has been substantial growth in the installation of medical cyclotrons. This is mainly due to the increased demand for the production of positron emission tomography radiopharmaceuticals. In every country, there is a regulatory body that regulates the uses of medical cyclotron intending to protect occupational workers, the public, and the environment.

Methodology for shielding design and evaluation for container scanners.

There has been an increase in the use of high energy photon beam for container scanners in many countries for multi purposes such as detecting high atomic number materials which might be nuclear materials, drugs, high explosive materials and other contrabands etc. High energy photon beams generally 6 and 9 MV can be used for scanning such materials. However, it is important to ensure that radiation level beyond the container scanner installation is within the permissible dose limit specified by the national competent authority for the protection of public and radiation workers.

Development and Validation of a New Tool to Measure Performance Knowledge and Communication Skill of Multidisciplinary Health Science Learners on Radiation Emergency Preparedness and Response Management.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to design, develop, and validate a newer tool on radiation emergency preparedness responses (RadEM-PREM IPE tool) to measure communication, knowledge, performance skills in multidisciplinary health science learners.

Methods: The study design is a prospective, single centric, pilot study. Five subject experts designed, analyzed, and selected items of the instrument for relevant content and domain.

Feasibility of F-FDG Labelling of Leucocytes in a Centre Without an On-Site Cyclotron and Monitoring of Radiation Dose to Occupational Worker in the Labelling Procedure.

Differentiation of infection from sterile inflammation is still a major concern for clinicians. The F-WBC positron emission tomography/computed tomography scan has been considered a promising tool for accurate diagnosis of infection owing to its high specificity, but it renders the availability of a medical cyclotron a necessity. The aim of the present study was to determine the feasibility of labeling leukocytes and establish the protocol in a center without the availability of an on-site medical cyclotron.

Assessment of Radiation Exposure and Radioactivity from the Liquid Discharge in a Nuclear Medicine Facility.

Aim: Radionuclide imaging and therapies produce radioactive liquid waste that may lead to significant radiation exposure to the general public. The study aims to assess the radiation exposure rate to public sewerage from a modified delay tank facility. We shall also evaluate the exposure rates and overall radioactivity at several points.

Radiation Exposure to the Nuclear Medicine Personnel During Preparation and Handling of Bi-Radiopharmaceuticals.

Because of the excellent ability of α-particles to transfer a high amount of energy over a short tissue range, targeted α-therapy has been attracting rising numbers of nuclear medicine centers. In this study, we estimated the radiation exposure to the occupational workers with pocket dosimeters during handling of the α-emitter Bi, used for targeted α-therapy of neuroendocrine tumor and castration-resistant prostate cancer patients. The dose rates from patients at different distances and time points after injection of the therapy were also evaluated.

Radiation Dose to the Occupational Worker during the Synthesis of Re-labeled Radiopharmaceuticals in the Nuclear Medicine Department.

Aim: The aim of this study is to estimate whole-body radiation dose to the radiopharmacist involved in labeling of three different Re-labeled compounds, namely, Re-Lipiodol, Re-tin colloid, and Re-hydroxyl-ethylidene-diphosphonate (HEDP) and to compare the occupational burden with the dose limits recommended by Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, India.

Materials And Methods: The Department of Nuclear Medicine at Fortis Memorial Research Institute currently synthesizes three different Rhenium-188 labeled compounds, namely, Re-Lipiodol, Re-HEDP, and Re-tin colloid. To estimate the radiation exposure to the radiopharmacist involved in the synthesis, a survey meter was used to measure radiation level before the start of labeling procedure in the radiopharmacy by keeping it at the location where the radiopharmacist normally stands during preparation.

Faunal diversity during rainy season in reclaimed sodic land of Uttar Pradesh, India.

Faunal diversity is an indicator of soil amelioration. Estimating the population size or density of an animal species in an area is fundamental to understand its status and demography and to plan for its management and conservation. Considering this, faunal diversity in reclamed sodic land was monitored during rainy season 2000-01 at different locations of district viz.

(170)Tm-EDTMP: a potential cost-effective alternative to (89)SrCl(2) for bone pain palliation.

Introduction: Metastron ((89)SrCl(2)) is a radiopharmaceutical currently used for bone pain palliation in several countries since the long half-life of (89)Sr (50.5 days) favors wider distribution than other radioisotopes approved for this application, which have shorter half-lives. Strontium-89 is not ideal for bone pain palliation due to its high energy beta(-) particle emission [E(beta(max))=1.

A novel approach to prepare (90)Y-EGMP patches for superficial brachytherapy.

A novel method to prepare (90)Y-EGMP patches has been developed for brachytherapy applications.EGMP films of 1cmx1cm size, incorporating approximately 185MBq of (90)Y were prepared and sealed between thin plastic sheets with uniform distribution of (90)Y. The leachability of (90)Y from radioactive patches was less than 0.

Bioevaluation studies of 32P incorporated mould brachytherapy sources for potential application in treatment of superficial tumors.

Aim: To prepare 32P-based user-friendly mould brachytherpy sources for the treatment of superficial tumors.

Methods: 32P as orthophosphoric acid was adsorbed on 15-25 mm (diameter) circular sheets of cellulose-based adsorbent paper to prepare sources containing approximately 37-74 MBq of 32P per cm of strip. The sources were immobilized between plastic sheets of 40 microm thickness.

Extremity dosimetry for radiation workers handling unsealed radionuclides in nuclear medicine departments in India.

In India, for the past five decades, whole body radiation dose of radiation workers has been monitored by means of film and thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) badges worn on the body. However, there are no provision/regulatory requirements to monitor doses received at the extremities, i.e.

Estimation of radiation dose at various depths for commonly used radionuclides in radiosynoviorthesis in a tissue equivalent material.

The purpose of the paper is to report on the dose estimation studies at various depths for the commonly used beta-emitting 90Y, 166Ho, 153Sm, 32p, and 177Lu radionuclides in a phantom fabricated using the poly methyl methacrylate tissue equivalent material having a density of 1.19 gm/cc, by using thermoluminescent dosemeters. GAFChromic MD-55 films were used to calculate the calibration factor for the thermoluminescent micro-rods used in our study.