Answer to Question #5001 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Q

I was sent for an ultrasound and an x ray of my right thigh.  The ultrasound went fine, but the x-ray technician did not place any lead protection over my genital area. The x ray was to be of the right femur as I have a damaged muscle (mid-thigh) which may have some buildup of calcium. Before I even knew what was happening, she had taken the picture but left the thin protective shield over my left thigh and hip. I thought she was still adjusting the machine. When I expressed surprise that my genital area had not been covered, she seemed annoyed and said, "They usually want the hip joint also . . . I can't cover you up there (testes) or it would interfere with the picture . . . it is safe." I asked, then, if it is safe, why she would cover my left hip and thigh? She became defensive and continued to repeat, "I've been doing this for 30 years . . . for the fourth time, I covered up what I could. . . . No, you may not see the doctor (radiologist) . . . the doctor does not speak to patients. . . . Listen, honey . . . I've been doing this for 30 years . . ."

The bottom line is that I feel that parts of my body, including testes, bladder, and prostate, have now received a dose of ionizing radiation which could have easily been prevented. To make it worse, the technician's patronizing attitude, arrogance, and lack of concern or empathy left me feeling abused and bullied. I can never take this radiation dose away. I'm very worried about this. No risk factors were ever discussed and the picture was taken before I was fully protected. The entire ordeal has made me sick to my stomach.

I would very much appreciate your thoughts and advice! What should I do??

A

A similar question (Q4362) gives a very good discussion of the actual benefit of a lead apron for a patient.

It is possible that the gonads could not be covered if they would be in the field of interest for the diagnostic procedure. If that is the case, then the dose to the gonads is usually considered to be an acceptable risk compared to the benefit of the x-ray exam. In the United States, it is typical that the gonads must be shielded if they are in the direct x-ray beam, but only if it doesn't interfere with necessary diagnostic information.

If that is the case, then she covered what areas she was able to by trying to keep radiation doses to the surrounding areas as low as possible. It is unfortunate, however, that she had to treat you the way she did. It is possible that she was having a bad day and was taking her frustration out on you because you were asking questions. In the future, you may want to consider having your x-ray exams performed somewhere else.

Ken "Duke" Lovins, CHP