A new mobile self-dispensing and administering system for 18F-FDG: evaluation of operator dose reduction

Purpose: Recently new mobile systems for dispensing positron emitters have been produced, designed to guarantee dispensing cycles in an aseptic environment. The aim of the present work was to assess the advantage of one of these systems in radiation protection of operators in clinical settings. Methods: Recently, in our centre the new self-dispensing system named KARL₁₀₀ by Tema Sinergie was adopted for ¹⁸F-FDG radiopharmaceuticals. The system is associated with an automatic Rad-inject infuser. The system that was previously used was a fixed isolator NMC DSI (Tema Sinergie), equipped with a μDDS-An activity fractioning system, together with a pneumatic post for the syringe delivery. The dosimetric evaluations on both systems were carried out through environmental measurements with an ionisation chamber and with the use of personal dosimeters. Results: The operations of preparation and administration of ¹⁸F-FDG dose to the patient, with the use of Karl₁₀₀ + RadInject, involve exposures much lower than those obtained by the fixed isolator. The average body exposure of the technician was reduced by 31%, and for the physician by 77%. On the extremities, the equivalent dose to the hands of the technician was reduced by 78%, and for the physician by 96%. Also the additional dosimeters worn by the technician confirmed the estimated environmental assessments. Conclusions: The exposures of the working personnel were significantly reduced with the introduction of the new KARL₁₀₀ system.