Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Computed tomography (CT) is highly accurate in detecting adrenal masses and should be used as the first diagnostic modality to define and localize them, investigators concluded.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration unveiled a plan Tuesday to reduce radiation exposure from three types of increasingly widespread imaging procedures: computed tomography (CT), nuclear medicine studies and fluoroscopy.
These three imaging techniques are the largest contributors to total radiation exposure among Americans. They use much higher radiation doses than other imaging procedures, such as standard X-rays, dental X-rays and mammography, potentially increasing the lifetime risk of cancer.
Some practitioners also believe that CT is easier to perform than ultrasound because it is fewer operators dependent and requires less personnel and time than ultrasound. Computed tomographic scans are rapid volume scans that can provide multiplanar reconstruction, whereas ultrasound has always been a 2-dimensional modality.
In addition to the cancer risk, accidental radiation exposure can result in injuries, such as burns, hair loss and cataracts. "The amount of radiation Americans are exposed to from medical imaging has dramatically increased over the past 20 years."
"The goal of FDA's initiative is to support the benefits associated with medical imaging while minimizing the risks."
While the extent of the cancer risk is a topic of debate, most experts agree that exposure to unnecessary radiation from these devices should be reduced. For example, the radiation from a CT scan of the abdomen is the equivalent of about 400 chest X-rays and a dental X-ray has about half the radiation of chest X-ray.
"Early diagnosis of disease, improved treatment planning, and image-guided therapies that helps save lives every day."
posted by emedinfo
@9:17 PM
permanent link |
|
| Bookmark & Share |
|
<< Home