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Risks and Benefits of CT Scans in Children

by Jill U. Adams •

In addition, maybe especially with the youngest patients, physicians should pay attention to cumulative dose. “I do it now. I’ll look and see how many scans someone has had,” said Dr. Stewart. “I take that into consideration.”

Imaging Risk Resources

Xrayrisk.com: Mike Hanley, MD, an attending radiologist at the University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville, put together this website to provide doctors and patients with impartial data on radiation doses from different types of medical imaging tests. The site also has a risk calculator, based on modeling data from the Hiroshima bombing.

“My goal was to create an educational site to put numbers on the risks,” he said. “It can be helpful in patient-provider conversations. Is the risk one in a million? One in a thousand?”

Imagegently.org: The Image Gently campaign is an initiative of the Alliance for Radiation Safety in Pediatric Imaging. The website includes information for physicians on ways to lower dose and ensure appropriate imaging, along with patient education materials.