Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 11, 2025

X-ray Dose Reduction through Adaptive Exposure in Fluoroscopic Imaging
08:30

X-ray Dose Reduction through Adaptive Exposure in Fluoroscopic Imaging

Published on: September 11, 2011

14.5K

Quantifying and Contextualizing Radiation Doses in Common Pediatric Medical Imaging Examinations

Carly Stewart1, Susan Alber2, Malini Mahendra3,4

  • 1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, CA.

Journal of Pediatrics. Clinical Practice
|August 18, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Computed tomography (CT) scans account for 80% of pediatric radiation exposure, with doses to the bone marrow and brain linked to increased cancer risk, especially in younger children. This study quantifies these pediatric imaging doses.

Area of Science:

  • Radiology
  • Pediatric Imaging
  • Radiation Oncology

Background:

  • Pediatric imaging involves radiation exposure, necessitating accurate dose assessment for risk evaluation.
  • Understanding organ and effective doses is crucial for informed clinical decisions and risk-benefit analysis in pediatric radiology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine organ and effective radiation doses for common pediatric imaging examinations.
  • To aid clinicians in understanding site-specific cancer risks and comparing radiation exposure across different imaging modalities.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective cohort study analyzed over 835,000 imaging examinations in 278,909 children from 2012-2017.
  • Radiation doses for computed tomography (CT) were estimated using technical parameters and Monte Carlo simulations.
  • Dose maps for fluoroscopy, angiography, nuclear medicine, and radiography were developed based on patient demographics and technical data.

Main Results:

  • CT examinations constituted 4% of all imaging but contributed 80% of the total radiation dose.
  • Head CT, the most frequent CT exam, delivered an average bone marrow dose of 9.8 mGy and brain dose of 39 mGy.
  • Radiographs were most common but accounted for only 6% of the overall radiation dose exposure.

Conclusions:

  • CT radiation doses to the bone marrow and brain are within ranges associated with increased cancer risk.
  • Radiation doses are highest in the youngest pediatric patients, highlighting the need for careful consideration in this age group.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Irradiator Commissioning and Dosimetry for Assessment of LQ α and β Parameters, Radiation Dosing Schema, and in vivo Dose Deposition06:20

Irradiator Commissioning and Dosimetry for Assessment of LQ α and β Parameters, Radiation Dosing Schema, and in vivo Dose Deposition

Published on: March 11, 2021

7.3K
Dosimetry for Cell Irradiation using Orthovoltage 40-300 kV X-Ray Facilities06:51

Dosimetry for Cell Irradiation using Orthovoltage 40-300 kV X-Ray Facilities

Published on: February 20, 2021

5.1K

Related Concept Videos

Biological Effects of Radiation02:59

Biological Effects of Radiation

All radioactive nuclides emit high-energy particles or electromagnetic waves. When this radiation encounters living cells, it can cause heating, break chemical bonds, or ionize molecules. The most serious biological damage results when these radioactive emissions fragment or ionize molecules. For example, α and β particles emitted from nuclear decay reactions possess much higher energies than ordinary chemical bond energies. When these particles strike and penetrate matter, they...
15.9K
X-ray Imaging01:24

X-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...
7.0K
Computed Tomography01:10

Computed 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...
6.2K
Radiological Investigation I: X-ray and CT01:30

Radiological 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...
414
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray01:20

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray

The most common cardiovascular diagnostic test is an X-ray. It produces images of the heart, blood vessels, and adjacent structures.
Definition and Purpose
An X-ray, or radiograph, is a non-invasive method that uses ionizing radiation to take images of internal structures. It is mainly used in cardiac imaging to examine the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, aiming to identify abnormalities in the heart's size, shape, and position, such as heart failure, congenital defects, and vascular...
297
Imaging Studies II: Positron Emission Tomography and Scintigraphy01:25

Imaging Studies II: Positron Emission Tomography and Scintigraphy

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a medical imaging technique that provides crucial insights into the body's physiological functions at a molecular level. It is an indispensable resource for diagnosing, staging, and monitoring various illnesses, notably cancer, neurological disorders, and cardiovascular conditions.
Fundamental Principles of PET
235