Indigenously developed close delivery system for oral iodine-131 therapy: Nominal cost but phenomenal protection

BACKGROUND: Administration of radiopharmaceuticals through intravenous and oral routes is the major source of radiation exposure to nuclear medicine (NM) technologists. Adopting new strategies to minimize radiation exposure is an important step toward safe practice in nuclear pharmacy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have indigenously developed a relatively close delivery system for oral administration of radioiodine-131 ((131)I) to minimize radiation exposure to the technologists. RESULTS: The efficacy of this indigenously developed close system was assessed upon 23 patients who were given (131)I therapies for benign (13 patients) and malignant thyroid disorders (10 patients). There was 64 ± 6% (P < 0.05) reduction in exposure rate using indigenously developed delivery system. CONCLUSION: The cost involved in developing this system was very nominal, but efficacy in terms of radiation safety and confidence of our technologists were phenomenal.