Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2009 Dec;7(2):29-36.

Radiation risks from pediatric computed tomography scanning

Gabriel Chodick  1 , Kwang Pyo Kim, Michael Shwarz, Gad Horev, Varda Shalev, Elaine Ron
Affiliations
Review

Radiation risks from pediatric computed tomography scanning

Gabriel Chodick et al. Pediatr Endocrinol Rev. 2009 Dec.

Abstract

Although radiological exams are not frequently used to diagnose unsuspected endocrine disease, computed tomography (CT) plays a significant role in today's endocrinology. Despite the known association between radiation exposure during childhood and cancer, the use of pediatric CT, which delivers non-negligible radiation doses to some organs and tissues, continues to rise sharply. The purpose of this review is to describe the current use of pediatric CT, explain basic concepts in ionizing radiation physics and dosimetry, and discuss potential risks from pediatric CT scans. Finally, we will summarize two recent programs for reducing and controlling exposure to ionizing radiation from pediatric CT: the As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) concept and the Image Gently initiative. Promoting public awareness and particularly educating referring physicians, including endocrinologists, about the potential radiation-associated risks from CT scans, is essential for reducing unnecessary radiation exposure from CT in children.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1:
Figure 1:
Estimated Lifetime CT-Attributable Cancer Mortality Risks among Children and Adolescentsa aData adopted from Brenner D, Elliston C, Hall E, Berdon W. Estimated risks of radiation- induced fatal cancer from pediatric CT. Am J Roentgenol 2001;176:289–296
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Aslam S, Sohaib A, Rockall A, Bomanji J, Evanson J, Reznek H. Imaging of the Endocrine System. In: Grainger R, Allison 0, Adam A, Dixon A, editors. Grainger ft Allison’s diagnostic radiology: a textbook of medical imaging 5 ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone, 2008: 1705–1732
    1. Pages J, Buls N, Osteuax M. CT doses in children: a multicentre study. Br J Radiol 2003;76:803–811 - PubMed
    1. Stern S Nationwide Evaluation of X-ray Trends (NEXT). Frankfort, Kentucky: Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors, Inc, 2007
    1. United Nations Scientific Commission on Effects of Atomic Radiation. Annex J Exposures and Effects of the Chernobyl Accident. United Nations. Sources and Effects of Ionizing Radiation UNSCEAR 2000 Report to the General Assembly with Scientific Annexes; New York: 2000
    1. IMV’s CT Census Database and Market Summary Report Des Plaines, IL: IMV, 2006