LOW RADIATION COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY SCANS

By: Jacob Parrick

Computerized Tomography Scans(CT scans)

CT scans are an essential tool for physicians to help interpret what exactly is happening inside your body. Although the average patient tries to limit the amounts of X-rays they receive per year, CT scans expose the patient to hundreds of X-rays at one time. The X-rays are then compiled into

one 3-dimentional image that provides an accurate depiction of the inner workings of the patient. However, the patient must weight the

benefits of this scan, understanding the long term risks associated with radiation exposure.

Therefore, newer CT scanners which emit lower radiation would be ideal for such studies.

Risk of Radiation

Exposure to high doses of radiation, such as that emitted from a CT scanner, have been linked to many cancers.

With approximately 450 times the radiation of an X-ray, CT scans, as they are today, may be do more harm than good – something all physicians take an oath to never do!

Why Low-Radiation CT Scans?

These scans will enable the physician to assess the patient’s current medical condition, without potentially creating a new one.

Although other modern scanning devices use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), each scan shows radiologists different aspects of the body; therefore CT scan, though potentially dangerous in their current (high radiation) state, are essential.

http://www.aboutcancer.com/ct_radiation_exposure.htm

Table : Radiation by the NumbersThis table perfectly demonstrates the need for newer computerized

tomography technology.