Potential legal ramifications of whole-body CT screening: taking a peek into Pandora's box

Automatic Detection of Thyroid and Adrenal Incidentals Using Radiology Reports and Deep Learning

BACKGROUND

Computed tomography (CT) is commonly performed when evaluating trauma patients with up to 55% showing incidental findings. Current workflows to identify and inform patients are time-consuming and prone to error. Our objective was to automatically identify thyroid and adrenal lesions in radiology reports using deep learning.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All trauma patients who presented to an accredited Level 1 Trauma Center between January 2008 and January 2019 were included. Radiology reports of CT scans that included either a thyroid or adrenal gland were obtained. Preprocessing included word tokenization, removal of stop words, removal of punctuation, and replacement of misspellings. A word2vec model was trained using 1.4 million radiology reports. Both training and testing reports were selected at random, manually reviewed, and were considered the gold standard. True positive cases were defined as any lesions in the thyroid or adrenal gland, respectively. Training data was used to create models that would identify reports that contained either thyroid or adrenal lesions. Our primary outcomes were sensitivity and specificity of the models using predetermined thresholds on a separate testing dataset.

RESULTS

A total of 51,771 reports were identified on 35,859 trauma patients. A total of 1,789 reports were annotated for training and 500 for testing. The thyroid model predictions resulted in a 90.0% sensitivity and 95.3% specificity. The adrenal model predictions resulted in a 92.3% sensitivity and a 91.1% specificity. A total of 240 reports were confirmed to have thyroid incidentals (mean age 69.1 yrs ± 18.9, 35% M) and 214 reports with adrenal incidentals (mean age 68.7 yrs ± 16.9, 50.5% M).

CONCLUSIONS

Both the thyroid and adrenal models have excellent performance with sensitivities and specificities in the 90s. Our deep learning model has the potential to reduce administrative costs and improve the process of informing patients.

Prevalence of Incidental Benign and Malignant Lesions on Radiographs Ordered by Orthopaedic Surgeons

BACKGROUND

Radiographs are the most commonly available diagnostic imaging modalities used to evaluate orthopaedic conditions. In addition to suspected findings based on the initial indication to obtain radiographic images, incidental findings may be observed as well, some of which may have notable medical and legal ramifications. This study evaluates the number of incidental findings reported from orthopaedic radiographs ordered in an academic orthopaedic multispecialty group over 1 year.

METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted of 13,948 eligible radiographs recorded at our institution over a 12-month period. Reports were categorized based on examination type. Incidental findings were categorized as having concern for possible malignancy versus likely benign conditions. The possibly malignant findings were then further subdivided into either bone or lung malignancies. The benign findings were subcategorized by etiology and anatomic location.

RESULTS

Thirteen thousand nine hundred forty-eight radiographs were evaluated, and 289 (2.07%) incidental findings were identified. The three study categories with the highest prevalence of incidental findings were spine (3.96%), leg length alignment (3.94%), and pelvic and hip (2.81%) radiographs. The three most common types of incidental findings identified were for possible malignancy or metastases in bone (30.1%), benign bone disease (24.9%), and gastrointestinal conditions (6.57%). Follow-up was recommended for 122 (42.2%) incidental findings.

DISCUSSION

This study describes the prevalence of incidental findings on orthopaedic radiographs in adults. Axial radiographs such as of the spine and pelvis are more likely to report an incidental finding as opposed to appendicular radiographs of distal extremities. The exception is leg alignment radiographs that include the entire lower extremity and pelvis and image a larger area of the body. Nearly one-third of incidental findings were suspicious for possible malignancy or metastases. Additional diagnostic workup with focused imaging is often recommended. This information is useful to orthopaedic surgeons who read their own radiographs (without formal radiologist interpretation) to increase awareness of common, concerning incidental findings that may be missed and warrant additional follow-up.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Incidental extra-cardiac findings on 13N-ammonia myocardial perfusion PET/CT

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of incidental extra-cardiac findings (IECFs) on myocardial perfusion PET/CTs and the prevalence of potentially clinically relevant and clinically irrelevant IECFs, as well as detection rate of previously unknown malignancies.

METHODS AND RESULTS

From September 2013 until February 2016, a total of 1397 consecutive patients referred for the evaluation of possible ischemia by 13NH3 PET/CT were prospectively included in a database. IECFs were categorized into three groups: potentially clinically relevant IECFs, IECFs that could potentially cause chest pain, and clinically irrelevant IECFs. Additionally, the prevalence of previously unknown malignancies was determined. In 717 (51%) of these patients, 775 IECFs were reported and 115 IECFs were categorized as potentially clinically relevant in 109 (8%) patients. A total of 145 IECFs that could potentially cause chest pain were detected in 139 (10%) patients and 515 clinically irrelevant IECFs were detected in 469 (34%) of the patients. An unknown primary malignancy was histologically proven in 19 patients (1.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

IECFs are detected on myocardial perfusion PET/CT in approximately half of the patients. In the present study, IECFs were potentially clinically relevant in 8% of the patients and in 1.4% an unknown malignancy was found, most of which were lung cancers.

The Fate of Patients with Solitary Pulmonary Nodules: Clinical Management and Radiation Exposure Associated

Background

The appropriate management of the large number of lung nodules detected during the course of routine medical care presents a challenge. We aimed to evaluate the usual clinical practice in solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) management and associated radiation exposure.

Methods

We examined 893 radiology reports of consecutive patients undergoing chest computed tomography (CT) and radiography at two public hospitals in Spain. Information on diagnostic procedures from SPN detection and lung cancer diagnosis was collected prospectively for 18 months.

Results

More than 20% of patients with SPN detected on either chest radiograph (19.8%) or CT (26.1%) underwent no additional interventions and none developed lung cancer (100% negative predictive value). 346 (72.0%) patients with SPN detected on chest radiograph and 254 (61.5%) patients with SPN detected on CT had additional diagnostic tests and were not diagnosed with lung cancer. In patients undergoing follow-up imaging for SPNs detected on CT median number of additional imaging tests was 3.5 and the mean cumulative effective dose was 24.4 mSv; for those detected on chest radiograph the median number of additional imaging tests was 2.8 and the mean cumulative effective dose was 10.3 mSv.

Conclusions

Patients who did not have additional interventions were not diagnosed of lung cancer. There was an excessive amount of interventions in a high percentage of patients presenting SPN, which was associated with an excess of radiation exposure.

Incidental findings on whole-body trauma computed tomography: Experience at a major trauma centre

INTRODUCTION

The use of total-body computed tomography (CT) scanning in the evaluation of multiply injured patients is increasing, and their liberal use has stirred debate as to the added benefit relative to the risk of radiation exposure and inappropriate use of limited healthcare resources. Findings unrelated to the clinician's reasons for requesting the radiological examination are often uncovered due to the comprehensive nature of the evaluation at a trauma centre. However, some of these findings are outside the expertise of the trauma team who initially organised the scan and this may lead to uncertainty over who is best qualified to follow-up the incidental finding. We aim to evaluate the frequency of incidental findings on whole body trauma CT scans in a consecutive series of trauma admissions to our unit.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We identified 104 consecutive major trauma patients who received a whole-body trauma CT (head, cervical spine, chest, abdomen and pelvis) from Jan 2013 to Dec 2013 in our unit (out of a total of 976 trauma admissions in the same year). Patient-specific information was extracted from computerised hospital databases containing admission and progress notes, radiological reports, operation notes and pathology reports.

RESULTS

57 patients (54.8%) had incidental findings identified on the radiologist report, with a total of 114 individual incidental findings. 6 (5.8%) patients had potentially severe findings that required further diagnostic work up; 65 (62.5%) patients had diagnostic workup dependant on their symptoms, and 43 (41.3%) patients had incidental findings of minor concern which required no follow up.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Our findings reflect the literature noting that incidental findings are increasingly common due to the central diagnostic role of CT imaging in trauma care, but also due to advances in imaging techniques and quality. In keeping with published literature, we note that increased age is associated with an increased incidence of "incidental findings" and this will continue to rise with the ageing population and the mandatory nature of trauma CTs.

Incidental CT Findings of Patients Who Admitted to ER Following a Traffic Accident

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate and analyze incidental CT findings of traffic injury patients discharged from the ER, and to determine overall notification rates.

Methods

All traffic injury-related patient records between 01.06.2013–01.03.2013 were obtained from Derince Training and Research Hospital Emergency Service using patient files and the hospital database. Brain, thorax and/or abdominal CT images of 340 patients aged between 0 to 84 years were included in the study. ER observation forms were investigated for the patients who had incidental findings on CT scanning and overall notification rates were recorded.

Results

Mean age of the 363 cases was 31.2 (SD 17.9, min 0, max 84) and 35.5% of patients were female (n=129) and 64.5% were male (n=234). A total of 537 CT scans were performed on 363 patients. 147, 319 and 71 CT scans were performed on the thorax, brain and abdominal, respectively. 27.3% (n=99) of scan results showed the presence of a coincidental pathology. The most common disease on scans were bone lesions (8%, n=29), followed by sinus abnormalities (7.7%, n=28). Incidental findings ratio in patients aged over 60 was 60.8%, while under 60 was 24.8%. It was found that seven patients (7.1%) were informed about the imaging results.

Conclusion

Most of the incidental findings were found to be benign; however, 16.5% of them were considered to require in-depth investigation. Further investigations are needed to understand the clinical relevance of these findings and their effects on patients.

Incidental findings detected on emergency abdominal CT scans: a 1-year review

INTRODUCTION

In recent years, there has been a substantial rise in the use of computed tomography (CT) in the emergency medicine setting. Accordingly, with increased CT usage there has been an upsurge in incidental pathology detection.

METHODS

A retrospective review of all emergency CT abdominal scans performed at a university teaching hospital was examined. The frequency of incidental findings, their clinical significance and workload effect for the radiology department was assessed.

RESULTS

1155 patients had an emergency abdominal CT scan of which 700 had incidental findings detected. Of the incidental findings, 143 were deemed indeterminate requiring urgent investigations. Twenty-four occult neoplasms were confirmed subsequently. Additionally, 259 patients were recommended for additional diagnostics. The cumulative effect of the initial emergency abdominal CT was 15,015 relative value units (RVU). Subsequent imaging of incidental findings resulted in another 1674 RVU workload for radiology.

CONCLUSION

Incidental findings cause considerable debate and concern over which patients require significant follow-up, investigations, and/or surveillance. This exerts significant pressures on sub-specialties for their expert input, with increased workload and implications on healthcare service provision.

Incidental renal mass found on focused assessment with sonography in trauma

We present the case of a 9-year-old female who presented after minor blunt abdominal trauma during a sporting event. On focused assessment with sonography for trauma, she was found to have an incidental renal mass, which was ultimately diagnosed as a renal cell carcinoma. In this report, we focus on the use of bedside ultrasound as a screening test and the management of incidental findings.

Incidental findings on total-body CT scans in trauma patients

INTRODUCTION

Total-body Computed Tomography (CT) scans are increasingly used in trauma care. Herewith the observation of incidental findings, trauma unrelated findings, is also increased. The aim of this study was to evaluate the number of incidental findings in adult trauma patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All consecutive trauma patients that underwent total-body CT scanning between January 2009 and December 2011 were analysed. Incidental findings were divided in three categories: category I (potentially severe condition, further diagnostic work-up is required), category II (diagnostic work-up dependent on patients' symptoms) and category III (findings of minor concern, no diagnostic work-up required).

RESULTS

There were 2248 trauma room presentations; 321 patients underwent a total-body CT scan (14.3%). In 143 patients (44.5%), 186 incidental findings were reported. There were 13 category I findings (7.0%), 45 category II findings (24.2%) and 128 category III incidental findings (68.8%). Overall, 18 patients (5.6%) required additional diagnostic work-up. Four patients underwent work-up by additional radiologic imaging. Three patients required further invasive work-up or treatment. Three patients were transferred to another hospital, no extended follow-up was performed. In three patients, there was no documentation of follow-up. Five patients deceased before diagnostic work-up of the incidental finding could start.

CONCLUSION

Total-body CT scanning as part of the evaluation of trauma patients leads to a substantial amount of incidental findings. Documentation of incidental findings and their clinical consequences was incomplete. Therefore, the findings of this study have prompted us to add an item to our electronic trauma room report that obliges residents to report whether or not incidental findings are found during trauma imaging.

Efficacy of identifying maxillofacial lesions in cone-beam computed tomographs by orthodontists and orthodontic residents with third-party software

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study was to determine the ability of orthodontists and orthodontic residents to identify nonorthodontic incidental findings and false positives in cone-beam computed tomography scans.

METHODS

Two groups of 10 cone-beam computed tomography scans containing equal numbers of scans with no, 1, or several abnormal nonorthodontic lesions were selected from a database. Eight orthodontists and 8 orthodontic residents screened the 2 groups of scans before and after a basic cone-beam computed tomography training course. The paired t test was used for statistical analyses.

RESULTS

In the initial screening, the orthodontists and residents correctly identified 41.1% of the lesions. This lesion-detection rate improved significantly to a mean of 56.7% after the training course (P <0.0005). In parallel with these findings, the mean percentage of correctly identified extragnathic lesions improved significantly, from 22% to 48% (P <0.0005), and correctly identified temporomandibular joint lesions improved from 20% to 55% (P = 0.01) after the training. In contrast, the rate of correctly identified dentomaxillofacial lesions remained largely unchanged before and after the training. Both groups of evaluators had approximately 5 false positives per 10 scans before training and demonstrated significant decreases in false positives after training.

CONCLUSIONS

Relative to known error rates in medical radiology, both groups of evaluators had high error rates for missed lesions and false positives before and after training. Given these findings and since the most frequent cause of medical radiology malpractice litigation is due to missed lesions, it is recommended that an appropriately trained radiologist should be involved in reading and interpreting cone-beam computed tomography scans.

Incidental Findings in Trauma Patients during Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma

During the initial assessment of trauma patients they usually undergo a Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) in which there are occasionally incidental findings of other surgical conditions. In this audit we discuss the incidence, demographics, and implications of these findings and we propose a management algorithm. Within 2 years we managed 6041 trauma patients in the emergency department based on the Advanced Trauma Life Support protocols, 95 per cent of which underwent a FAST ultrasound. Incidental findings were reported in 468 patients (7.8%), whereas in a further 11.2 per cent of these patients there was a second finding. The mean age of these patients was 57.55 years (15–105), and most of them were men (51.1%). The vast majority of the findings were related to the liver and biliary tree (52.1%) followed by the urinary track (27.1% 1 8%). In multivariate analysis only the age was a significant factor associated with incidental findings ( P < 0.001) whereas in univariate analysis both the gender [men (54.1%) vs women (45.9), P = 0.013] and the mechanism of trauma ( P < 0.001) were as important as the age ( P < 0.001). The patients who had incidental findings were 15 years older than the rest. The detection of unknown surgical conditions in FAST may lead to managerial and possible medico-legal issues rendering the development of a proper algorithm mandatory.

Incidental findings from lung CT scans: implications for research

INTRODUCTION

We aimed to evaluate the number and nature of incidental findings in CT chest scans in the context of a study of the pulmonary effects of cannabis.

METHODS

Three hundred fifty-seven participants were recruited: 78 cannabis-only smokers, 92 tobacco-only smokers, 106 smokers of cannabis and tobacco and 81 never smokers. All participants underwent a high-resolution CT scan of their thorax. Two radiologists read the scans. Associations between abnormalities and age, sex, tobacco and cannabis smoking status were expressed as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence interval.

RESULTS

Seventy-six findings requiring referral or further investigations were found in 71/357 (19.9%) of participants. In multivariate analyses, only older age, OR (per decade) 2.1 (1.4 to 3.0), was associated with a respiratory abnormality on the CT scan. A total of 37/76 (48.7%) of the abnormalities detected were extra-pulmonary, with findings observed across a wide range of organ systems. Only older age, OR (per decade) 1.7 (1.2 to 2.5), was associated with a non-respiratory abnormality.

CONCLUSION

The common occurrence of abnormal findings requiring referral or further investigations raises practical, ethical and medico-legal issues which need to be carefully considered in research programmes utilising chest CT scanning.

Computed tomography and radiation: understanding the issues

We are currently seeing increasing opportunities to improve patient care with computed tomography (CT). At the same time, we are challenged to use this technology wisely. In particular, we are being asked to balance the benefits against the risks, chiefly those of ionizing radiation. To do this, we must have a foundation from which to determine the relative risks. This foundation necessarily must be composed of several components. First, it is important to understand the patterns of use and increasing application of CT, particularly multidetector CT. In addition, it is helpful to be familiar with measures of radiation pertinent to CT and the doses provided by this modality. This foundation then provides a context in which to discuss the issue of low-dose radiation and cancer risk as well as potential changes in CT practice guidelines and regulation. It is with an understanding of these issues that radiologists and other radiology personnel can participate in an informed discussion with referring physicians and patients and continue to optimize the practice of CT.

Economic and ethical impact of extrarenal findings on potential living kidney donor assessment with computed tomography angiography

To determine the prevalence and spectrum of extrarenal findings in a screening population of potential living kidney donors undergoing renal Computed tomography angiography (CTA) and evaluate their impact on subsequent patient management and imaging costs. Two radiologists retrospectively reviewed 175 consecutive renal CTA's performed for assessment of potential living kidney donors. Extrarenal radiological findings were recorded and classified according to high, medium, or low importance based on clinical relevance and the need for further investigations and/or treatment. The cost of additional imaging examinations was calculated using 2002 Canadian (British Columbia) reimbursements. There were 73 extrarenal findings in 71/175 (40.6%) of the potential kidney donors in the study population. Findings were categorized as of high clinical importance in 18 (10.3%) cases, including lung lesions, bowel tumors, and liver tumors and as medium importance in 31 (17.7%). Twenty-two (12.6%) individuals had findings categorized as low importance, probably of no clinical significance and requiring no follow-up. Further potential evaluation of the 49 patients (28%) with highly and moderately significant extrarenal findings may require an additional $6137 (mean $35.1 per each case of all the screened patients). Transplantation of a kidney from a living donor is an excellent alternative to cadaveric allografts. Potential living kidney donors are a highly selected population of healthy individuals, screened for significant past or current medical conditions before undergoing CTA. Despite this screening, potentially significant extrarenal findings (classified as high or medium importance) were revealed in 28% of patients. These patients may require further investigations and/or treatment. The referring physician and patient should be aware of such potentially high probability, which may require further nontransplant related evaluation and treatment. This has medical, legal, economic, and ethical implications.

Diagnostic CT Scans: Institutional Informed Consent Guidelines and Practices at Academic Medical Centers

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this article is to characterize current informed consent practices for diagnostic CT scans at U.S. academic medical centers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We surveyed 113 radiology chairpersons associated with U.S. academic medical centers using a survey approved by our institutional review board. The need for informed consent for this study was waived. Chairpersons were asked if their institutions have guidelines for nonemergent CT scans (by whom; oral and/or written), if patients are informed of the purpose of their scans (by whom), what specific risks are outlined (allergic reaction, radiation risk and dose, others; by whom), and if patients are informed of alternatives to CT.

RESULTS

The study response rate was 81% (91/113). Of the respondents, two thirds (60/90) currently have guidelines for informed consent regarding CT scans. Radiology technologists were most likely to inform patients about CT (38/60, 63%) and possible risks (52/91, 57%), whereas ordering physicians were most likely to inform patients about CT's purpose (37/66, 56%). Fifty-two percent (30/58) of sites provided verbal information and 5% (3/58) provided information in written form. Possible allergic reaction to dye was explained at 84% (76/91) of sites, and possible radiation risk was explained at 15% (14/91) of sites. Nine percent (8/88) of sites informed patients of alternatives to CT.

CONCLUSION

Radiology technologists are more likely to inform patients about CT and associated risks than their physician counterparts. Although most academic medical centers currently have guidelines for informed consent regarding CT, only a minority of institutions inform patients about possible radiation risks and alternatives to CT.

Coronary Artery Imaging with Contrast-Enhanced MDCT: Extracardiac Findings

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the incidence of extracardiac findings on contrast-enhanced MDCT of the coronary arteries and to assess the effect of different field-of-view settings.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Patients with suspected coronary artery disease (n = 166) were examined with contrast-enhanced MDCT (16 x 0.75 mm focused on the heart) during injection of contrast material (80 mL injected at a rate of 4 mL/sec) followed by saline (20 mL injected at 4 mL/sec). Retrospectively gated images were reconstructed at a 1-mm slice thickness and a 0.5-mm increment with isotropic voxels of 1 mm3. Images were reviewed for extracardiac findings, which were then classified as none, minor, or major with respect to their impact on patient management and treatment. In a different group of patients (n = 20), chest scans (16 x 1.5 mm) were used for measuring volumes of displayed body structures on wholechest scans, coronary artery MDCT images, and coronary artery MDCT images reconstructed with the maximum field of view.

RESULTS

Extracardiac findings were detected in 41 patients (24.7%). Findings were classified as minor (19.9%) or major (4.8%). Among the major findings, which had an immediate impact on patient management and treatment, were bronchial carcinoma and pulmonary emboli. Volume analysis revealed that 35.5% of the total chest volume was displayed on dedicated coronary artery MDCT focused on the heart, whereas 70.3% of the chest was visible when coronary artery MDCT raw data were reconstructed with the maximal field of view (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Coronary artery MDCT can reveal important findings and disease in extracardiac structures. Thus, the entire examination should be reconstructed with the maximum field of view and should be reviewed by a qualified radiologist.

Whole-body CT screening: spectrum of findings and recommendations in 1192 patients

PURPOSE

To retrospectively determine the frequency and spectrum of findings and recommendations reported with whole-body computed tomographic (CT) screening at a community screening center.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This HIPAA-compliant study received institutional review board approval, with waiver of informed consent. The radiologic reports of 1192 consecutive patients who underwent whole-body CT screening of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis at an outpatient imaging center from January to June 2000 were reviewed. Scans were obtained with electron-beam CT without oral or intravenous contrast material. Reported imaging findings and recommendations were retrospectively tabulated and assigned scores. Descriptive statistics were used (means, standard deviations, and percentages); comparisons between subgroups were performed with univariate analysis of variance and chi(2) or Fisher exact tests.

RESULTS

Screening was performed in 1192 patients (mean age, 54 years). Sixty-five percent (774 of 1192) were men and 35% (418 of 1192) were women. Nine hundred three (76%) of 1192 patients were self referred, and 1030 (86%) of 1192 subjects had at least one abnormal finding described in the whole-body CT screening report. There were a total of 3361 findings, with a mean of 2.8 per patient. Findings were described most frequently in the spine (1065 [32%] of 3361), abdominal blood vessels (561 [17%] of 3361), lungs (461 [14%] of 3361), kidneys (353 [11%] of 3361), and liver (183 [5%] of 3361). Four hundred forty-five (37%) patients received at least one recommendation for further evaluation. The most common recommendations were for additional imaging of the lungs or the kidneys.

CONCLUSION

With whole-body CT screening, findings were detected in a large number of subjects, and most findings were benign by description and required no further evaluation. Thirty-seven percent of patients had findings that elicited recommendations for additional evaluation, but further research is required to determine the clinical importance of these findings and the effect on patient care.

Review of radiation issues for computed tomography

Over the past three decades, computed tomography (CT) has proven to be central in imaging evaluation. Multidetector technology continues to drive practice patterns by combining fast scanning with high quality data sets. This has resulted in new applications as well as improved use in traditional applications. With this recognition has also come the realization that there are potential costs of CT. One major cost is the radiation dose. Therefore, in order to begin to assess benefits (which are relatively familiar to radiologists) versus costs (which are less familiar), the issues related to CT radiation need to be addressed. Familiarity with measures of CT radiation and the actual doses delivered by CT are important issues as they provide a basis for understanding the potential cancer risks from CT radiation. Moreover, these justify development of strategies to minimize radiation dose. Strategies include obtaining only necessary CT examinations and adjusting the examinations based on scan indication, region examined, and patient size. These strategies must also be combined with efforts by manufacturers in development and implementation of technology aimed at radiation dose management, as well as efforts in research, education, and CT standards and regulation. This article reviews the subject of radiation dose with multidetector CT technology, including measures of CT radiation, the dose that can result from CT examinations, the risks of this amount of radiation, and strategies for minimizing CT radiation dose.

Computed tomography and radiation risks: what pediatric health care providers should know

Computed tomography (CT) is an extremely valuable diagnostic tool. Recent advances, particularly multidetector technology, have provided increased and more diverse applications. However, there is also the potential for inappropriate use and unnecessary radiation dose. Because some data indicate that low-dose radiation (such as that in CT) may have a significant risk of cancer, especially in young children, it is important to limit CT radiation by following the ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) principle. There is a variety of strategies to limit radiation dose, including performing only necessary examinations, limiting the region of coverage, and adjusting individual CT settings based on indication, region imaged, and size of the child. The pediatric health care provider has a pivotal role in the performance of CT and may be the only individual who discusses these important CT radiation issues with the child and family. For this reason, this article will summarize the issues with CT patterns of use and radiation risk, and provide dose reduction strategies pertinent to pediatric health care providers.