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11 October 2008

Answer to Question #6664 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Medical and Dental Equipment/Shielding — Equipment

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

I was just told that scatter radiation is only produced by the patient. I work in a cardiac catheterization laboratory and my understanding is that scatter is caused by the primary beam hitting the collimator, table, patient, detector, or anything else that it interferes with in its path.

You are correct. Anything in the primary x-ray beam can cause scatter radiation, with the patient causing the most. According to Shapiro, ". . . scattered radiation originates primarily in the body of the patient. This radiation can also undergo subsequent scattering from the walls and other objects in the examination room."

Ken "Duke" Lovins, CHP

Reference
Shapiro J. Radiation protection: a guide for scientists and physicians. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University; 1990: 94.

Answer posted on 15 August 2007. The information and material posted on this Web site is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Web site. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.