Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026
12:15
Tissue Preparation Techniques for Contrast-Enhanced Micro Computed Tomography Imaging of Large Mammalian Cardiac Models with Chronic Disease
Published on: February 8, 2022
Contrast medium-enhanced radiation damage caused by CT examinations
Saskia Grudzenski1, Michael A Kuefner, Martina B Heckmann
1Darmstadt University of Technology, Radiation Biology and DNA Repair, Schnittspahnstrasse 13, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany.
Radiology
|October 1, 2009
Summary
Iodinated contrast media (CM) used in computed tomographic (CT) scans increase DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in lymphocytes by about 30%. This CM-enhanced radiation damage occurs when administered before x-ray exposure, but not after or with gamma-rays.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Molecular Biology
- Radiation Oncology
Background:
- Computed tomographic (CT) examinations utilize ionizing radiation.
- Iodinated contrast media (CM) are frequently administered during CT scans.
- The potential impact of CM on radiation-induced DNA damage is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of iodinated contrast media (CM) on the induction and repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs).
- To assess these effects in peripheral blood lymphocytes following computed tomographic (CT) examinations.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study involving 37 patients undergoing CT scans with or without intravenous CM.
- Assessment of DSBs in lymphocytes using the gammaH2AX foci assay.
- In vitro cell culture experiments with lymphocytes and fibroblasts exposed to CM and irradiation.
Main Results:
- CT examinations with CM administration increased DSB levels in peripheral lymphocytes by approximately 30%.
- In vitro studies confirmed that CM prior to x-ray irradiation enhances initial DSB yield.
- CM administration after irradiation or with gamma-rays did not affect DSB levels.
Conclusions:
- The gammaH2AX foci assay demonstrates CM enhances radiation damage to lymphocytes during CT.
- The long-term bioeffects, including potential cancer risk, of CM-enhanced low-dose radiation from CT remain unknown.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Radiological Investigation I: X-ray and CT
Radiological investigations, including X-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans, are critical for diagnosing and evaluating various medical conditions. These imaging techniques provide valuable insights into the body's internal structures, aiding in the detection of abnormalities, assessment of disease progression, and development of treatment strategies. This article delves into two primary radiological investigations, chest X-rays and CT scans, outlining their purpose, procedures, and the...
01:27Imaging Studies III: Computed Tomography
DefinitionComputed Tomography (CT) of the genitourinary (GU) tract is a non-invasive imaging modality that utilizes X-rays and computer processing to generate detailed cross-sectional images of the urinary system, encompassing the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and adjacent structures such as the adrenal glands.PurposeCT scans of the GU tract serve several diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, including:Diagnosis of Urinary Tract Diseases: Detects kidney stones, tumors, cysts, and congenital...
01:28Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT
Cardiac computed tomography (CT) scanning is an advanced cardiac imaging technique that utilizes CT technology, with or without intravenous (IV) contrast, to produce accurate cross-sectional virtual slices of specific areas of the heart, coronary circulation, and major blood vessels such as the aorta, pulmonary veins, and arteries. The computer processes these slices to generate three-dimensional images. Multidetector CT (MDCT) is a rapid form of CT scanning that captures multiple slices...
01:14Imaging Studies I: CT and MRI
Introduction: MRI and CT scans are crucial advancements in medical imaging techniques, playing a vital role in diagnosing conditions related to the gastrointestinal (GI) system. Each scan serves distinct purposes, targets specific areas, and requires unique nursing duties.
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...
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...
01:10Computed Tomography
Tomography refers to imaging by sections. Computed tomography (CT) is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses computers to analyze several cross-sectional X-rays to reveal minute details about structures in the body.
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...
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...
01:24X-ray Imaging
German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen (1845–1923) was experimenting with electrical current when he discovered that a mysterious and invisible "ray" would pass through his flesh but leave an outline of his bones on a screen coated with a metal compound. In 1895, Röntgen made the first durable record of the internal parts of a living human: an "X-ray" image (as it came to be called) of his wife’s hand. Scientists worldwide quickly began their own experiments with X-rays, and by 1900, X-ray was widely...