Radiation scatter at fluoroscopy-guided endoscopic procedures: Building towards further optimization

INTRODUCTION: Exposure to ionizing radiation by endoscopy personnel during fluoroscopy-guided procedures remains a health hazard. We aimed to evaluate a novel lead flap-enhanced artificial intelligence-enabled fluoroscopy (LE-AIF) system to minimize radiation scatter. METHODS: We conducted prospective study of 218 patients who underwent fluoroscopy-guided endoscopic procedures using conventional AIF (C-AIF) or LE-AIF systems. The primary outcome measure was comparison of radiation scatter to endoscopists. RESULTS: Radiation scatter to endoscopists and anesthesia personnel were significantly lower using LE- AIF. On linear regression analysis, C-AIF and fluoroscopy duration were associated with radiation scatter. DISCUSSION: LE-AIF significantly reduced radiation scatter at endoscopic procedures.