During fluoroscopic examinations, personnel wear lead aprons mainly to protect against which type of radiation?

During fluoroscopic examinations, lead aprons are primarily used to protect personnel from Compton scatter radiation. Compton scattering occurs when X-ray photons interact with matter, such as the human body, causing a reduction in the energy of the photons and resulting in the scattering of lower energy radiation in different directions. This type of radiation can contribute significantly to the exposure of personnel during fluoroscopy procedures, especially in areas closer to the patient.

Lead aprons are effective at absorbing these scattered photons, thereby minimizing the radiation dose received by the person wearing the apron. This protective measure is essential in settings where personnel are frequently near the patient during imaging procedures, ensuring their safety from incidental radiation exposure.

While other forms of radiation, such as characteristic radiation and those associated with the photoelectric effect, exist, they are not the primary concern during fluoroscopy. Brachytherapy, on the other hand, is a form of internal radiation therapy and does not apply directly to the protective measures used in fluoroscopic imaging. The focus on Compton scatter highlights the importance of understanding the types of radiation encountered in various medical imaging practices and the protective strategies employed to mitigate risk to health care workers.