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whole-body computerized tomography (CT)
Estimated dose to lung or stomach from a single whole-body CT is 14-21 mGy*
* Dose to a body region for which direct evidence exists of increased cancer mortality in atomic bomb survivors.
Estimated risk of cancer from a single whole-body CT is 0.08%
Estimated risk of cancer from 30 annual whole-body CT is 1.9%
Lung cancer would be he most common radiation-induced cancer.
Findings of review of 1192 reports:
- 86% of patients had at least 1 finding, mean of 2.8 findings/patient
- noncardiac thoracic findings (42%)
- pulmonary scars nodules
- vascular calcifications
- mediastinal lymph node abnormalities
- abdominopelvic findings (69%)
- vascular calcifications
- cysts & nonspecific lesion in the liver
- cysts & calcifications in the kidney
- prostate enlargement
- uterine fibroids
- ovarian cysts
- spine abnormalities (60%)
- degenerative change
- follow-up recommendations, generally additional imaging procedures in 37%
General
computerized tomography (CT)
References
- Journal Watch 24(20):153, 2004
Brenner DJ, Elliston CD.
Estimated radiation risks potentially associated with full-body
CT screening.
Radiology. 2004 Sep;232(3):735-8. Epub 2004 Jul 23.
PMID: 15273333
- Furtado CD, Aguirre DA, Sirlin CB, Dang D, Stamato SK, Lee P,
Sani F, Brown MA, Levin DL, Casola G.
Whole-body CT screening: spectrum of findings and
recommendations in 1192 patients.
Radiology. 2005 Nov;237(2):385-94. Epub 2005 Sep 16.
PMID: 16170016