During an x-ray or imaging procedure, the nurse or technician may wear an unusual-looking apron or vest. Likewise, a patient may see a physician put on these armor-like shells during a procedure or operation. The equipment is not for decoration; these garments are x-ray aprons and x-ray vests, designed to protect the people in the room, including the patient, from scattered radiation particles. While radiation is part of what helps medical professionals see injuries and medical abnormalities on opaque films, it can be harmful in large amounts.
There are a variety of procedures where these garments are worn as a means of radiation protection.
X-Ray
While one x-ray of any certain body part may not be significantly harmful, several x-rays of the same area over a certain period of time may lead to cumulative radioactive damage to cells in the body, potentially causing issues such as sterility, thyroid problems and other damaging medical conditions down the road. Personnel and patients are often given lead aprons and vests to wear to protect areas of the body that are not of interest for the imaging procedure.
Tomography Scanning
Technologists and patients commonly wear aprons and vests for most advanced imaging procedures, not just x-rays. These protective equipment measures are also used for computerized axial tomography (CT) scans.
Dentistry
For dental examinations, the dentist and assistants will often take pictures of the patient's teeth to detect cavities, root problems and impactions. The assistant may place x-ray aprons on the patient to protect their reproductive organs from scattering radiation particles while x-rays of the teeth are taken. The risk of damage is low, but the aprons are put in place to avoid any side effects in the future.
Internal Medicine
Other therapeutic procedures may also warrant wearing lead aprons. If a patient needs to have a gastrointestinal procedure, like an endoscopic cholangiopancreatography done to relieve biliary blockage, the medical professional may also need to wear the lead apron or vest. The procedure utilizes dynamic CT imaging to view the portal system of the gastrointestinal area.
Cancer Therapy
Another procedure that warrants protective gear is radiation therapy for thyroid disease or for cancer. For thyroid disease, the patient often has to drink a special chemical that will localize itself in the thyroid, and then receive radiation therapy. The gear will protect the patient, but will treat the thyroid tissue, destroying the thyroid and thus curing the condition. For radiation therapy, the protective gear will minimize damage to areas of the body that do not need to be exposed.
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