New CT scanners
reduce radiation, cancer risk Employing newly developed software, the scanners use less radiation to produce images, then refine them to the clarity doctors need. By Burke Watson
I
n the past 18 months, research study findings and major television news reports have focused on radiation exposure from computed tomography (CT) scans. A valuable diagnostic tool, CT scans provide detailed views from deep within a patient’s body. But they require much higher radiation doses than conventional X-rays, creating growing concern among researchers that CT scans may contribute to an estimated tens of thousands of future cancer cases.
The Methodist Hospital System® has taken a leading role in adopting new technology that dramatically reduces the amount of radiation in CT scans while still producing the clear images doctors need to diagnose and treat many serious health problems. The Methodist Hospital adopted the latest advance in CT technology in late 2009 with new scanners by GE that experts say can reduce the radiation dose by 30 to 40 percent. Employing newly developed software, the scanners use less radiation to produce images, then refine them to the clarity doctors need.
Researchers study radiation dosage Two recent studies have reported that as CT scans have become more widely used in the United States — from about 3 million in 1980 to nearly 70 million in 2007 — the radiation dosage used tends to vary widely, depending upon the type of scan being done. This variation may contribute to a significant number of future cancer cases. Dr. Thomas Hedrick, medical director of Radiology for Methodist, says he understands the concern among researchers and patients. “I think it’s realistic for people to want to know more about this,” says Hedrick, who this summer will celebrate his 30th anniversary as a member of the Methodist medical staff. “Five years ago, patients almost never asked about the amount of radiation. In the past year to two years, the amount of concern has increased exponentially.” Publicity was generated about three years ago after the American College of Radiology decided to study the issue, Hedrick says. And, he adds, public interest has been further stoked by the news reports about radiation exposure from CT scans.
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