Space missions with humans expose the crews to ionizing radiation, mainly due to the galactic cosmic radiation (GCR). All radiation protection programs in space aim to minimize crews' exposure to radiation. The radiation protection of astronauts can be achieved through the use of shields.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUnlabelled: Individualized dosimetry in nuclear medicine is currently at least advisable in order to obtain the best risk-benefit balance in terms of the maximal dose to lesions and under-threshold doses to radiosensitive organs. This article aims to propose a procedure for fast dosimetric calculations based on planar whole-body scintigraphy (WBS) images and developed to be employed in everyday clinical practice.
Methods: For simplicity and legacy reasons, the method is based on planar imaging dosimetry, complemented with some assumptions on the radiopharmaceutical kinetics empirically derived from single-photon emission tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) image analysis.
In recent years, stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) has gained popularity among clinical methods for the treatment of medium and low risk prostate cancer (PCa), mainly as an alternative to surgery. The hypo-fractionated regimen allows the administration of high doses of radiation in a small number of fractions; such a fractionation is possible by exploiting the different intrinsic prostate radiosensitivity compared with the surrounding healthy tissues. In addition, SBRT treatment guaranteed a better quality of life compared with surgery, avoiding risks, aftermaths, and possible complications.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe increasing use of ionizing radiation in healthcare is causing growing alarm about radiation protection of patients and the doses they receive during procedures. Radiation dose assessment for patients in radiodiagnostic procedures is the subject of interest in view of the recent Italian D.Lgs 31 July 2020, n.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRadon is a major source of ionizing radiation exposure for the general population. It is known that exposure to radon is a risk factor for the onset of lung cancer. In this study, the results of a radon survey conducted in all districts of a Public Healthcare in Italy, are reported.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHypofractionation for localized prostate cancer treatment is rapidly spreading in the medical community and it is supported by radiobiological evidences (lower α/β ratio compared with surrounding tissues). Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is a technique to administer high doses with great precision, which is commonly performed with CyberKnife (CK) in prostate cancer treatment. Since the CyberKnife (CK) is not available at all radiotherapy center, alternative SBRT techniques are available such as Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) and Helical Tomotherapy (HT).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Following recent epidemiological studies, which showed tissue reactions from ionizing radiation at significantly lower doses, the 2013/59 EURATOM Directive of 5th December 2013 lowered the limit on the equivalent dose to the eye lens from 150 mSv to 20 mSv per year. Therefore, as a precautionary measure, it is considered appropriate to perform a timely dose monitoring by using specific dosimeters.
Objectives: Analysis of the current state of the eye lens exposures during interventional procedures.
Int J Environ Res Public Health
November 2015
Indoor radon concentrations were measured in dwellings of the Puglia region in Southern Italy using LR-115 passive detectors. The results show that the radon concentrations varied from 15 ± 2 to 2166 ± 133 Bq/m³ with a geometric mean of 114 Bq/m³ and a geometric standard deviation of 2.3.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIndoor radon activity concentrations were measured in seven Museums of University of Naples, very old buildings of great historical value. The measurements were performed using a time-integrated technique based on LR-115 solid-state nuclear track detectors. The annual average concentrations were found to range from 40 up to 1935 Bq m(-3) and in 26 % of measurement sites, the values were higher than 500 Bq m(-3) which is the limit value of Italian legislation for workplace.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The risk of radio-induced gastrointestinal (GI) complications is affected by several factors other than the dose to the rectum such as patient characteristics, hormonal or antihypertensive therapy, and acute rectal toxicity. Purpose of this work is to study clinical and dosimetric parameters impacting on late GI toxicity after prostate external beam radiotherapy (RT) and to establish multivariate normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) model for radiation-induced GI complications.
Methods: A total of 57 men who had undergone definitive RT for prostate cancer were evaluated for GI events classified using the RTOG/EORTC scoring system.
In this study, the indoor radon concentrations have been measured in 93 dwellings of the Penisola Sorrentina, using LR115 detectors. The detectors were placed in the bedrooms and living rooms for two consecutive semesters starting from December 2010 to December 2011. The annual average indoor radon concentrations vary from 25 to 722 Bq m(-3), with a mean value of 132 ± 114 Bq m(-3).
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