The study looks at 254 women and is the largest of its kind. Richard Legro, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the College of Medicine, estimates five percent to 10 percent of women suffer from PCOS, a hormonal disorder. PCOS can manifest itself in women by causing irregular menstrual cycles, increased body and facial hair, and infertility. The College of Medicine conducts some of the most extensive research on PCOS anywhere in the world. Radiation exposure monitoring improved Researchers in The College of Medicine have found a more accurate way to measure the amount of radiation physicians are exposed to when performing an interventional radiology procedure.
Radiologists often work with their hands placed very close to the X-ray beam.
King said he was surprised that the highest doses were measured in the palm of the hand, rather than the fingers. We think some physicians may have had as much as 30 percent more radiation exposure than was previously recorded by just using the ring badge. While this change in measurement will not reduce exposure, it will give physicians a more accurate level of actual radiation exposure. It is hoped that physicians can then take steps to reduce exposure, such as limiting the length of exposure or the length of a procedure and not placing the hands in the radiation beam, he said. Back to news index Back to Intercom home page Digital Intercom is produced in the Office of University Relations at The Pennsylvania State University .