Use of medical radiographs: extent of variation and associated active bone marrow doses

Conference · Mon Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985 · Radiology; (United States)

OSTI ID:5479748

McNeil, B J; Tihansky, D; Wennberg, J E

An analysis of radiologic practice in five areas of Maine was undertaken for three purposes: to identify those radiologic examinations associated with the highest variation in use so that guidelines can be instituted to correct for excess use; to identify the major contributors to absorbed dose to the active bone marrow; and to estimate annual and cumulative dose to the active bone marrow as a function of age. For all patient age groups, four types of examinations contribute 75-85% of the annual dose to the active bone marrow: examinations of the stomach and intestines using barium contrast material, intravenous urograms, studies of the biliary tract, and lumbar spine films. Over 80% of the total dose to the active bone marrow from diagnostic radiology in patients occurs after age 40 and nearly 60% after age 55; this suggests that the potential number of induced leukemias from diagnostic radiology may be lower than previously estimated.

• Research Organization: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
• OSTI ID: 5479748
• Report Number(s): CONF-851152-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Radiology; (United States) Journal Volume: 156:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMAL TISSUES
BIOMEDICAL RADIOGRAPHY
BODY
BONE MARROW
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DIAGNOSTIC USES
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DISEASES
DOSES
GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
GLANDS
HEMATOPOIETIC SYSTEM
HEMIC DISEASES
INTESTINES
LEUKEMIA
MAMMARY GLANDS
MEDICINE
NEOPLASMS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIOINDUCTION
RADIOLOGY
SKELETON
SKULL
STOMACH
TISSUES
USES
VERTEBRAE