What is the risk of a CT scan

[matis_mom]

I was excited to get an order for a CT scan for ds's sinuses. Now I'm a bit worried about the radiation part. Is there a potential risk to this? I probably outweighs the potential benefits, but I am also wondering is there a gentler way to check for sinus infections.

[Worried_Dad]

Hi, Mati's Mom:

 

So happens I just had a CT scan of my sinuses! All in all, as I understand it, the typical radiation dose for this type of scan is very minimal and low-risk (increased lifetime risk of cancer < 0.1%, and even that is theoretical for the low doses used for this type of CT scan). Here's a really good Google Answers post on this topic:

 

http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview/id/742075.html

 

Always a judgment call... but when you're trying to track down stealth strep infections for a PANDAS child, I'd personally vote that the potential benefit outweighs the risk. Good luck!

[justinekno]

I have a friend who just had one done and her dr told her he would wait another year before doing a follow up one due to the radiation. So maybe it's just a matter of limiting the amount of scans each person has within a period of time.

 

I was excited to get an order for a CT scan for ds's sinuses. Now I'm a bit worried about the radiation part. Is there a potential risk to this? I probably outweighs the potential benefits, but I am also wondering is there a gentler way to check for sinus infections.

[mom love]

One thing to keep in mind with a CT scan is the dose of radiation they program it for. When you are in the scan room with your child, ask the person by the computer if they have checked to make sure it is calibrated for the pediatric (state weight of your child) scan.

[lyme_mom]

I was excited to get an order for a CT scan for ds's sinuses. Now I'm a bit worried about the radiation part. Is there a potential risk to this? I probably outweighs the potential benefits, but I am also wondering is there a gentler way to check for sinus infections.

I'd ask Dr. Beals about this. If he thinks it is necessary then you will feel better doing it. There is a naturopath in DC who does muscle testing for lyme and coinfections. I wonder if he could help check for an infection without the need for a scan.

[dut]

Hi - I'm not saying this link gets it right but it's an opposing view from the one touted by mainstream drs and, personally, we err on the side of caution when it comes to ionising radiation as no safe limit has ever been proved..

 

http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2010/aug2010_Lethal-Danger-of-CT-Scans_01.htm

 

 

I also read a recent study using math modelling that showed that even very low levels can lead to changes in the heart and possibly lead to heart problems..worth reading right to the bottom of this review article (only short)

 

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091022202710.htm

[smartyjones]

i broke my ankle about 3 years ago -- a stress fracture I didn't know I had, running a 5K, stepped down and ankle hurt. i'd never broken a bone before and so never imagined it was broken so kept running to finish the race. i turned the corner to the end and it cracked, about 100 feet from the finish line. it still pains me to remember sitting in the grass watching the time clock run.

 

anyway - had multiple CT scans of the ankle. at the time, i was following dr. andrew weil. i think he advocates high (at least 1,000) vitamin C for a few days or week before and after raditation tests. this was some time ago, so could be not remembering it well. when ds had CTs a few years ago, i dosed him with vit C before and after.

Edited September 25, 2010 by smartyjones

[matis_mom]

I checked out the links and surfed around a little. Very interesting! A CT scan is equivalent to 100s of regular x-rays. Also, some technicians might not "bother" adjusting the intensity for a child? Goodness! If I do go for it, I'll be sure to watch out for that!

 

 

Here are two additional links

 

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/causes/radiation/radiation-risks-pediatric-CT

 

http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/svc/alpha/r/radiology/radiation-cat-scans.htm

Edited September 26, 2010 by mati's mom

[EAMom]

If I remember correctly, Diana P.'s son had a sinus infection that showed up on an MRI (I think they were checking the brain/basal ganglia?, not looking at the sinuses in particular, but they happened to find the infection.) I know MRIs don't have the radiation issue of CT scans...I don't know why they aren't typically used to look for sinus infections?

[matis_mom]

If I remember correctly, Diana P.'s son had a sinus infection that showed up on an MRI (I think they were checking the brain/basal ganglia?, not looking at the sinuses in particular, but they happened to find the infection.) I know MRIs don't have the radiation issue of CT scans...I don't know why they aren't typically used to look for sinus infections?

Thanks! I'll look into that. I'm on a roll with the pediatrician, but I doubt she'll prescribe that. I might try the local ENT.