Answer to Question #12983 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Medical and Dental Equipment and Shielding

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

Q

I'm an interventionalist who spends about 75% of my week doing fluoroscopic injections. I hadn't thought about this until recently, but am I at an increased risk of malignancy, radiation damage, etc., due to my insulin pump? Not the fact that I have an autoimmune disease, but simply the thought that my insulin pump is subcutaneously injecting insulin post-radiation exposure. I suppose it's usually covered by the lead apron depending on where it is on my body, but I was just curious if anyone had any insight into this.

A

This has been an interesting topic in the last few years. The United States Food and Drug Administration posted a statement that indicates this is a rare occurrence and the only times it has occurred are when the insulin pump is worn by a patient and the pump enters the primary x-ray beam of a computerized tomography (CT) scanner. It apparently is not an issue when the insulin pump is in the primary beam of other x-ray units (radiographic, fluoroscopic, etc.).

The statement also goes on to state that even when the pump is in the primary x-ray beam of a CT scanner, the chances of an adverse event are extremely low, and that the CT scan should still be performed if necessary.

In addition, since the only occurrences have been in primary x-ray beam, then it is not an issue for non-patients since those persons should never be in the primary x-ray beam.

Based on this, there should be no risk regarding x-ray exposure of your insulin pump while you perform interventional fluoroscopy procedures.

Kennith "Duke" Lovins, CHP

Ask the Experts is posting answers using only SI (the International System of Units) in accordance with international practice. To convert these to traditional units we have prepared a conversion table. You can also view a diagram to help put the radiation information presented in this question and answer in perspective. Explanations of radiation terms can be found here.
Answer posted on 13 August 2019. The information posted on this web page is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may affect the applicability of concepts, 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. To the best of our knowledge, answers are correct at the time they are posted. Be advised that over time, requirements could change, new data could be made available, and Internet links could change, affecting the correctness of the answers. Answers are the professional opinions of the expert responding to each question; they do not necessarily represent the position of the Health Physics Society.