Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026
X-ray Dose Reduction through Adaptive Exposure in Fluoroscopic Imaging
Published on: September 11, 2011
Review of radiation risks from computed tomography: essentials for the pediatric surgeon
Henry E Rice1, Donald P Frush, Diana Farmer
1Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. rice0017@mc.duke.edu
Background/Purpose:
Over the past several years, increasing attention has been focused on the potential for radiation exposure from computed tomography (CT) for inducing the development of cancers. An understanding of these issues is important for the practice of pediatric surgery.
Methods:
Medline based clinical review of current medical literature of the risks for the induction of cancers by CT. Data includes estimates of cancer risk from computer models, epidemiologic data from survivors of atomic bomb radiation exposure, and consensus opinions from expert panels.
Results:
Review of scientific evidence demonstrates varied opinions, but consensus suggests there may be a potential for an increased risk of cancer from low level radiation exposure such as from CT. These calculations suggest that there may be as high as 1 fatal cancer for every 1000 CT scans performed in a young child.
Conclusions:
Pediatric surgeons should be aware of the potential risks of CT. Minimizing the radiation risks of CT is a complex endeavor, and will require investments from pediatric surgeons as well as pediatric radiologists.
Related Concept Videos
01:10Computed Tomography
The technique was invented in the 1970s and is based on the principle that as X-rays pass through the body, they are absorbed or reflected at different levels. In the technique, a patient lies on a motorized platform while a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scanner rotates...
01:27Imaging Studies III: Computed Tomography
01:30Radiological Investigation I: X-ray and CT
01:14Imaging Studies I: CT and MRI
Description of the Procedures
Computed Tomography (CT) scan:
Computed Tomography (CT) scans use X-ray technology to generate detailed images of bones, organs, and tissues. During the scan, the patient lies on a moving table...
01:13Radiological Investigation III: Pulmonary Angiogram and PET Scan
Pulmonary Angiogram
A Pulmonary Angiogram is an invasive procedure involving injecting a contrast medium through a catheter threaded into the pulmonary artery or the right side of the heart to visualize the pulmonary vasculature. Computed Tomography (CT) scans have mainly replaced this...
01:24X-ray Imaging