Evaluation of arising exposure of ionizing radiation from computed tomography and the associated health concerns

Abstract

Computed tomography (CT) scans involve exposure to ionizing radiation, which can present unavoidable risks. CT is one of the largest contributors to man-made radiation dose in medical populations. Despite the clinical benefits and the increase of CT imaging usage, the concern of arising exposure of ionizing radiation associated with CT imaging may pose significant health risks. This paper investigates the arising exposure of ionizing radiation from CT and associated radiation dose in the study area. The exposure of ionizing radiation from CT scans was assessed in four hospitals using active detection methods. CT scan operators were exposed to an annual effective dose (mean ± SD) ranged from 2.83 ± 0.4 mSv/y to 12 ± 2.4 mSv/y. The public was exposed to annual effective dose ranged from 0.40 ± 0.04 mSv/y to 0.87 ± 0.04 mSv/y. Patients were exposed to minimum effective dose of 1.03 mSv (head scan) and maximum effective dose of 24.45 mSv (abdomen pelvis). The results show the occupational annual effective dose and the public annual effective dose were within the ICRP recommended dose limits. Its first kind of study in this area and the data obtained emphasizes the importance of applying strategies to optimize the radiation dose from CT scans.

Imaging of Gastrointestinal Tract Ailments

“…One concern about the use of PET/CT or CT is radiation exposure [ 82 ]. In this regard, the replacement of CT with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is a better option considering the significantly lower radiation dose of MRI, especially for chronic conditions where multiple serial examinations are needed for the assessment of the progression of the disease and therapy efficacy monitor [ 3 , 83 ].…”

Performance analysis of wireless sensor networks for nuclear medicine applications

“…The program objective is to minimize the ionizing radiation exposure of personnel operating in the facility either the cyclotron operators, maintenance and engineering teams, laboratory experts, or the doctors and nurses in the clinic, which needs reliable radiation monitors to measure their collected doses. Also, patients shall be monitored to reduce the exposure risk below the limits identified by International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) during diagnostic and treatment and to record the vital signs and biological data (International Atomic Energy Authority, Radiation Protection in Newer Medical Imagining Techniques: PET/CT, 2008) (Abuelhi & Alghamdi, 2020). Typically, radiation monitoring of the workplace relies on routine surveys of controlled and supervised areas using handheld radiation detection instruments, while individual monitoring is conducted through personal dosimeters that are checked periodically.…”

Dual-Mode Tumor Imaging Using Probes That Are Responsive to Hypoxia-Induced Pathological Conditions

“…These exogenous molecules often change their structure and chemical properties in response to hypoxia or hypoxia-induced changes in tumor microenvironments. Responsive imaging probes are studied with imaging modalities including positron emission tomography (PET), single-photon emission tomography (SPECT), and X-ray computed tomography (X-ray CT) because these imaging modalities possess nearly unlimited depth penetration [ 37 ], despite involving ionizing radiation that could damage cells [ 38 , 39 ]. Responsive contrast agents are also studied with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound imaging to characterize hypoxic environments without the use of ionizing radiation.…”