Pediatric Implications of Diagnostic, Interventional, and Therapeutic Radiology

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Since the beginning of the propitious world, the core aspect that keeps it thriving is the propensity for people to discover innovations; however, progress of the past is, systematically, detrimental to the future. Not long after the revolutionary invention of the X-ray in the late 19th Century, an unprecedented number of medical examiners noticed (unknown to the time) radiation burns all over their body; decades later, an extraordinary surge in cancer cases had arisen. Perhaps, during the course of these years, scientists and researchers desired to further progress the x-ray (into the immense subsidiaries that are here today), and disregarded any flaws in the apparatus. This systematic inclination continues into the present time as Gary Marshall and Shane Keene notes in their 2007 article, “New technologies allow for patients to be overexposed routinely, and also allow for repeats to be taken quickly, making it easier for a technologist to multiply the patients dose without considering the implications” (5). The gaffes of radiology are present not only in the diagnostic setting, but also in the surgical and therapeutic areas. Working with radiation, it is imperative that the staff is aware of mistakes that are potentially fatal not only for patients, but themselves. It is especially important for medical radiologists to be cognizant of pediatric patients. The standard practice of pediatric radiology in the United States is to follow the step-by step formula from which adult patients are treated and diagnosed. There are copious consequences for following this technique since a child naturally has less body mass and a weaker immune and lymphatic system to manage radiation and its adverse effects. Medical radiology, being a... ... middle of paper ... ...ing Standard 20.47 (2006): 47-57. Academic Search Premier. Web. 23 Nov. 2013. Marshall, Gary W., and Shane Keene. "Radiation Safety in the Modern Radiology Department: A Growing Concern." Internet Journal of Radiology 5.2 (2007): 4. Academic Search Premier. Web. 23 Nov. 2013. Oswal, Nilesh, et al. "Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Predicts Cardiac Catheter Findings For Great Artery Stenosis in Children with Congenital Cardiac Disease." Cardiology in the Young 22.2 (2012): 178-183. Academic Search Premier. Web. 17 Nov. 2013. Shenoy-Bhangle, A., K. Nimkin, and M. S. Gee. "Pediatric Imaging: Current and Emerging Techniques." Journal of Postgraduate Medicine 56.2 (2010): 98-102. Academic Search Premier. Web. 19 Nov. 2013. United States Department of Health and Human Services. “Radiation Therapy for Cancer” National Cancer Institute (2010): 1-12. Web. 19 Nov. 2013.

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