What Parents Need To Know About Summer Injuries And Radiation From X-rays

Main Category: Radiology / Nuclear Medicine
Also Included In: MRI / PET / Ultrasound
Article Date: 06 Jul 2010 - 0:00 PDT

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Who: Dr. Helene Pavlov, Radiologist-in-Chief at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, a leader in treating children and adults for bone, joint, muscle and tendon injuries, is available to discuss summertime bumps and bruises in children and what parents should understand about radiation safety regarding X-rays and other types of imaging.

What: With summer upon us children will be out in force running, playing their favorite sports, riding bikes and having fun with their friends. As much fun as these activities can be, injuries can sometimes occur, sending children to their local hospital's emergency department for X-rays, CT scans and more.

Recent media coverage about high levels of ionizing radiation associated with the frequent use of CT (computed tomography) scans has heightened fear and concern among parents regarding radiology and imaging. Dr. Pavlov can discuss the important safety protocols and procedures that parents should take into consideration when their children need imaging for possible fractures.

Four Things to Keep in Mind:

Less is Best Children are still growing and their bodies are more susceptible to the effects of ionizing radiation - the less ionizing radiation the better. Parents should ask if the center emphasizes ALARA, the acronym for "As Low As Reasonably Achievable" with regard to ionizing radiation exposure.

Talk to the Doctor Before agreeing to an imaging examination, Dr. Pavlov suggests parents ask what the doctor suspects is the problem and whether there is a non-ionizing radiation imaging examination and expertise available, such as an MRI or an ultrasound examination that could be substituted for the specific condition clinically suspected.

Make Sure Shielding is Practiced Ensure that the radiology technologist shields the child and confines the area being exposed. It is okay to ask if the technique being used has been adjusted to the size of the child.

Inquire About Repeat Rates Ask about the center's repeat rate, or how often an image needs to be repeated because of excessive motion, incorrect positioning or improper technique. If it is high, parents may want to choose a different imaging center for their child's examination. It is also wise to inquire about the number of pediatric patients seen. The higher the percentage of children, the more experience the team has in acquiring the image correctly on the first try.

Source:
Hospital for Special Surgery

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