CT scans in kids
There are new recommendations released by the American Academy of Pediatrics related to the use of computed tomographic (CT) scans in children.
The report is intended to aid in decision making and discussions with the healthcare team, patients, and families.
X-ray studies that use ionizing radiation are an essential tool for the evaluation of many disorders of childhood and CT scans seem so easy and accessible that many families push for them even when not necessary.
CT scans are of particular interest because of its relatively high radiation dose and wide use.
In terms of radiation dose, a head CT is equivalent to 200 chest x-rays, a chest CT to 150 chest x-rays, and an abdominal CT to 250 chest x-rays.
The consensus statements published reveal that even low-level radiation may have a small risk of causing cancer.
By only using CT scanning when necessary we will decrease radiation exposure and decrease any risk associated.
Healthcare providers in pediatrics play important roles in deciding when CT scanning is indicated and in discussing the associated risks with patients, parents, and insurance companies.
Radiologists are also a wonderful resource in deciding what types of studies may be the most beneficial with the least amount of risk.
Families and patients need to be educated on the potential risks and discouraged from requesting procedures just because they are available.
Literature review suggests widely differing opinions regarding the cancer risk associated with radiation from these types of studies and most reports conclude the benefits outweigh the risks.
The American Academy of Pediatrics offers the following specific information as a basis to underlie discussions of CT examinations and risks:
• Radiation is a necessary component of a CT examination.
• CT scanning is associated with low-level radiation exposure.
• The cause-and-effect relationship between low-level radiation, such as that associated with CT scanning and cancer is still unclear. Expert consensus panels that have reviewed this issue have suggested that there is a small risk for cancer that increases with increasing radiation exposure.
• Because no direct connection between CT scanning and subsequent development of cancer has yet been shown, the risks from CT scans must be estimated. These estimates vary according to the information underlying them.
• The amount of radiation exposure associated with a CT examination depends on the protocols and equipment settings used, as well as on other factors.
• As an overall rule, CT examinations performed properly in children should expose a child to a much lower radiation dose than that for the same procedure performed on an adult.
• There is clinically recognized and documented potential benefit from an indicated CT examination, which greatly exceeds the potential cancer risk.
The report is intended to aid in decision making and discussions with the healthcare team, patients, and families.
X-ray studies that use ionizing radiation are an essential tool for the evaluation of many disorders of childhood and CT scans seem so easy and accessible that many families push for them even when not necessary.
CT scans are of particular interest because of its relatively high radiation dose and wide use.
In terms of radiation dose, a head CT is equivalent to 200 chest x-rays, a chest CT to 150 chest x-rays, and an abdominal CT to 250 chest x-rays.
The consensus statements published reveal that even low-level radiation may have a small risk of causing cancer.
By only using CT scanning when necessary we will decrease radiation exposure and decrease any risk associated.
Healthcare providers in pediatrics play important roles in deciding when CT scanning is indicated and in discussing the associated risks with patients, parents, and insurance companies.
Radiologists are also a wonderful resource in deciding what types of studies may be the most beneficial with the least amount of risk.
Families and patients need to be educated on the potential risks and discouraged from requesting procedures just because they are available.
Literature review suggests widely differing opinions regarding the cancer risk associated with radiation from these types of studies and most reports conclude the benefits outweigh the risks.
The American Academy of Pediatrics offers the following specific information as a basis to underlie discussions of CT examinations and risks:
• Radiation is a necessary component of a CT examination.
• CT scanning is associated with low-level radiation exposure.
• The cause-and-effect relationship between low-level radiation, such as that associated with CT scanning and cancer is still unclear. Expert consensus panels that have reviewed this issue have suggested that there is a small risk for cancer that increases with increasing radiation exposure.
• Because no direct connection between CT scanning and subsequent development of cancer has yet been shown, the risks from CT scans must be estimated. These estimates vary according to the information underlying them.
• The amount of radiation exposure associated with a CT examination depends on the protocols and equipment settings used, as well as on other factors.
• As an overall rule, CT examinations performed properly in children should expose a child to a much lower radiation dose than that for the same procedure performed on an adult.
• There is clinically recognized and documented potential benefit from an indicated CT examination, which greatly exceeds the potential cancer risk.
posted by Anonymous at 6:10 AM
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