This study rigorously compared radioprotective drapes, head supported lead-acrylic face masks, lead head-caps, and Zero-Gravity, during clinical use with patients as well as phantom studies , and using Monte Carlo analysis.
Zero-Gravity reduced calculated annual exposure to the brain 6.9 X greater than head-supported lead acrylic face mask, and 10.3 X greater than radioprotective head-cap (Table 20). . Mask efficiency for eyes and brain depended greatly on model and orientation of head and imaging projection. The upward-directed incident angle of the radiation may enable its passage under the mask and cap, but not under the Zero-Gravity which seals to the apron at the bottom, and also provides more expansive coverage.
Drapes provided very little protection to the head, with “…dose reductions around 3% on average for the brain and the eye lens” and relatively low reductions elsewhere on the body which were highly dependent on imaging projection.
The authors concluded that “ZG offers a considerable dose reduction to all organs covered” [compared to the other tested methods].
Link to downloadable pdf of full report: