Increased Radiation Exposure from SPECT/CT Compared to SPECT Alone
Author Information
Author(s): Ann M. Larkin, Yafell Serulle, Steven Wagner, Marilyn E. Noz, Kent Friedman
Primary Institution: Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, New York University
Hypothesis
What is the additional radiation exposure incurred by patients in the CT portion of SPECT/CT examinations?
Conclusion
The increase in radiation exposure from SPECT/CT is generally acceptable compared to the benefits, but efforts should be made to minimize this exposure.
Supporting Evidence
- The study included 248 scans from 221 patients.
- The extra effective dose from the CT examination was compared to average background radiation.
- The cumulative effect of radiation exposure may be significant for patients undergoing multiple follow-up studies.
Takeaway
This study looks at how much more radiation patients get from a special type of scan called SPECT/CT compared to a regular scan. It finds that while the extra radiation is usually okay, doctors should still try to keep it low.
Methodology
The study calculated the effective dose from various nuclear medicine procedures and compared the extra exposure from the CT portion of the examination.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the lack of CT technologists in nuclear medicine facilities may affect the knowledge of dose consequences.
Limitations
The study does not account for individual variations in patient anatomy and the potential for unnecessary radiation exposure due to the size of the scan area.
Participant Demographics
The study included data from 221 patients who underwent SPECT/CT examinations.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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