Occupational exposure in PET/CT compared to general nuclear medicine is approximately how much higher?

The choice indicating that occupational exposure in PET/CT is approximately four times higher than in general nuclear medicine is based on the fundamental differences in the nature of the procedures and the types of radiopharmaceuticals used.

In PET imaging, the use of positron-emitting radionuclides requires careful handling due to their higher energy emissions when compared to traditional SPECT or general nuclear medicine procedures. For instance, substances like fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), which is commonly used in PET scans, result in greater radiation exposure due to their specific decay properties and the resultant high-energy positrons that interact with surrounding tissues and produce additional radiation in the form of gamma rays.

Furthermore, the setup and operation of PET/CT, which combines PET imaging with computed tomography, often necessitate longer procedure times and closer proximity to the patient during imaging. The combined use of these modalities leads to a higher cumulative occupational dose for healthcare providers because they may be exposed to radiation not just from the radiopharmaceuticals, but also from the CT component, which uses X-rays that add to the overall exposure.

This understanding of radiation physics and the operational procedures in PET/CT contributes to the conclusion that occupational exposure is indeed about four times higher in this specialized environment compared to