Analysis of risk in computerized tomography and other diagnostic radiology procedures

Journal Article · · Comput Radiol; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0730-4862(82)90109-3· OSTI ID:6096660

Mossman, K L

Medical practice entails continuous risks to the patient taken in good faith by the physician for the benefit of the patient. Risk of radiation induced cancer death approximates 10(-4) per cGy (rad). Assuming an average whole body dose of 0.1 cGy for many diagnostic X-ray procedures, the probability of radiation-induced cancer death is about 10(-5). The purpose of this paper is to compare the risks of common diagnostic X-ray procedures including computerized tomography (CT) with risks of smoking or automobile travel. Such comparisons should be constructive in putting radiation in perspective and facilitating explanation of risk/benefit to patients.

• Research Organization: Department of Radiation Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC
• OSTI ID: 6096660
• Journal Information: Comput Radiol; (United States), Journal Name: Comput Radiol; (United States) Vol. 6:5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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560151 -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Man
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BIOMEDICAL RADIOGRAPHY
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY
DIAGNOSIS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DISEASES
DOSES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MEDICINE
NEOPLASMS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
PATIENTS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION HAZARDS
RADIATIONS
RADIOINDUCTION
RADIOLOGY
RISK ASSESSMENT
TOMOGRAPHY
X RADIATION