Recommendations On CT Scanning, UK

Main Category: Radiology / Nuclear Medicine
Also Included In: MRI / PET / Ultrasound
Article Date: 19 Dec 2007 - 5:00 PDT

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The Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE) has published a number of recommendations* on the use of computed tomography (CT) X-ray scans by private clinics. This advanced X-ray technique is increasingly being used to provide examinations of people who have no symptoms of illness (asymptomatic individuals). While a CT scan undoubtedly provides valuable diagnostic information, such scans produce a significant radiation dose to the patient and this needs to be justified on medical grounds.

COMARE have looked at this practice in depth and have made nine recommendations. The Agency supports the recommendations made by the Committee. In particular, the Agency notes the recommendation that services offering whole body scanning of asymptomatic individuals should stop doing so immediately. There is very little evidence that any benefit of this practice outweighs the potential risk of a significant radiation dose. Until such evidence is produced, the Agency strongly supports COMARE's recommendation that the practice should stop.

The Agency's Radiation Protection Division plays an active role in the development of national and international standards for the protection of patients undergoing X-rays and other examinations involving radiation. The Division has an ongoing programme of work on the assessment of radiation doses and risks to patients, and recommends national reference levels for radiation dose in support of good imaging practice.

* COMARE 12 th Report (December 2007). The impact of personally initiated X-ray computed tomography scanning for the health assessment of asymptomatic individuals. Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE). Chairman: Professor A Elliott. ISBN: 978-0-85951-611-2. Available to download from the COMARE website.

Health Protection Agency