Radiation protection in non-ionizing and ionizing body composition assessment procedures

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Radiological Physics
• Health Risk Assessment

Background:

• Body composition assessment (BCA) is crucial for evaluating nutritional status in various populations.
• Different modalities exist for BCA, categorized by radiation type: ionizing radiation (IR) and non-ionizing radiation (NIR).
• Understanding radiation risks associated with BCA procedures is essential for informed clinical decision-making.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze publications on the biological effects and risks of IR and NIR in BCA.
• To raise physician awareness regarding potential patient risks during BCA procedures.
• To guide clinicians in selecting the most suitable BCA method based on risk-benefit analysis.

Main Methods:

• Review of scientific literature focusing on the biological effects of IR (DXA, CT) and NIR (MRI) in BCA.
• Comparison of radiation doses from different IR techniques and summary of optimization principles.
• Summarization of current recommendations and safety limits for NIR and ultrasound (US) techniques.

Main Results:

• IR imaging procedures for BCA carry small individual risks, often justified by medical necessity when optimization is applied.
• No clear link has been established between MRI, magnetic fields, or radiofrequency (RF) fields and long-term health risks.
• Acute effects of MRI (tissue burns, phosphenes) are known, but DNA damage and chemical bond disruption by NIR are not robustly demonstrated.

Conclusions:

• IR-based BCA methods are generally safe when radiation risks are minimized through optimization.
• MRI and US procedures are considered very safe for BCA, with minimal demonstrated health risks.
• Physicians should be aware of the risks and benefits of different BCA modalities to ensure patient safety and optimal method selection.