whole-body computerized tomography (CT)

Introduction

Estimated dose to lung or stomach from a single whole-body CT is 14-21 mGy*

* Dose to a body region for which direct evidence exists of increased cancer mortality in atomic bomb survivors.

Estimated risk of cancer from a single whole-body CT is 0.08%

Estimated risk of cancer from 30 annual whole-body CT is 1.9%

Lung cancer would be he most common radiation-induced cancer.

Findings of review of 1192 reports:

• 86% of patients had at least 1 finding, mean of 2.8 findings/patient
• noncardiac thoracic findings (42%)
  • pulmonary scars nodules
  • vascular calcifications
  • mediastinal lymph node abnormalities
• abdominopelvic findings (69%)
  • vascular calcifications
  • cysts & nonspecific lesion in the liver
  • cysts & calcifications in the kidney
  • prostate enlargement
  • uterine fibroids
  • ovarian cysts
• spine abnormalities (60%)
  • degenerative change
• follow-up recommendations, generally additional imaging procedures in 37%

More general terms

• computerized tomography (CT)