Radiation Exposure from Medical Imaging Procedures

More than 2% of patients in a population-based study were exposed to high or very high annual effective doses of ionizing radiation.

The growing use of imaging procedures, such as computed tomography (CT), that employ low-dose ionizing radiation has stoked concerns about risks for radiation-related cancer. A single, 10-millisievert (mSv) dose (approximately the exposure from a whole-body CT scan) produces an estimated lifetime risk for developing a solid cancer or leukemia of 1 in 1000, according to a recent National Research Council report. In addition, radiation exposure from CT scanning accounts for an estimated 1.5% to 2% of all cancers, according to a 2000 United Nations Scientific Committee report. Unfortunately, the cumulative amount of radiation patients receive from imaging-related procedures is not well understood.

Researchers used 3 years of health insurance da…

Reviewing Author

David A. Johnson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory boardMedscape/WebMD; Pfizer; CRH Medical Corporation; Aries

EquityCRH Medical Corporation

Editorial boardsMedscape Gastroenterology

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Gastroenterology Research Institute Board of Directors

David A. Johnson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory boardMedscape/WebMD; Pfizer; CRH Medical Corporation; Aries

EquityCRH Medical Corporation

Editorial boardsMedscape Gastroenterology

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Gastroenterology Research Institute Board of Directors