Introduction
Radiation protection is a vital topic and when it comes to children, it’s necessity cannot be stressed enough. As a result of the quantity of CT scans on children multiplying 20-fold since 1980, the subject of pediatric radiation protection has expanded into a more public domain (Orth & Goske, 2009). Dr.Orth and Dr.Goske discuss the topic of pediatric radiation protection in regards to computed tomography. They are just a minor part of a great campaign called “Image Gently” that encourages awareness of pediatric radiation protection (Orth & Goske, 2009). Dr,Orth and Dr.Goske do an excellent job of highlighting some of the key topics of this subject from why children are more sensitive to how radiation it affects parents. This essay
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According to Orth & Goske, 2009, the effective dose of a pediatric chest CT exam is 300 times that of a plain chest radiograph. The author poses the point that pediatric patients receive a higher dose than necessary if an adult technique is set; Children likely receive a higher dose from an adult technique due to the larger size setting (National Cancer Institute, n.d.). This was confirmed by a study that simulated the doses on phantom subjects. Due to the way CT delivers radiation in a rotating fashion, the dose at the center of a patient’s body is less than the dose received at the surface (Orth & Goske, 2009). This would mean the thicker a patient is, the more dose is absorbed before it reaches the midpoint or core of the body, effectively lowering a patient’s core dose. Pediatric patients are naturally smaller than their adult counter-parts, so they likely receive a higher core dose of radiation from each CT study. The specific pediatric organs susceptible to radiation are outlined well by the authors. The audience will find it easy to process information on radiation, because the authors compare it to everyday background …show more content…
This can be a difficult subject to discuss with anyone due the complexity of CT physics and radiation. It is important to discuss the very real risk with a parent without scaring them. It is important to stress that while the risk is real it is still unlikely. Having something to compare the risk to may make it easier for parents to understand. The authors offer up statistics regarding car and plane accidents as an example. You can also explain to a parent the benefit of scanning a patient who is clearly injured to determine the extent of the damage versus alternatives like exploratory surgery. The authors share a valid point that you can share with parents, that regardless of radiation exposure there is a baseline risk of 40% for people in the United States to develop cancer (Orth & Goske, 2009). As recommended at the end of the presentation, the audience should take a look at the Image Gently brochure to improve their ability to answer questions regard pediatric CT. For example, after looking over the brochure, you can explain that although a scan may be negative the parent did not make a bad decision. There is still benefit to performing a CT scan, because it can avoid additional unnecessary procedures (Image Gently, n.d.). The brochure has additional information about pediatric CT in a format that would be easy
the effective doses from diagnostic CT procedures are typically estimated to be in the range of 1 to 10 mSv. This range is not much less than the lowest doses of 5 to 20 mSv estimated to have been received by some of the Japanese survivors of the atomic bombs. These survivors, who are estimated to have experienced doses slightly larger than those encountered in CT, have demonstrated a small but increased radiation-related excess relative risk for
The conversation around the rising costs of health care continues to be a high priority topic of discussion from consumer all the way up to the government. There are many products and services that contribute to the rising costs, as well as some responsibility left to practicing providers who choose to use high dollar radiology services for patient care. Ionizing radiation has been used for more than a century, however, this evolution or radiology services into widespread diagnostic and therapeutic uses has resulted in a significant increase in the population’s overall exposure to radiation with the potential to increase the risk of cancer (Amis & Butler, 2010). Examples of high dollar radiology services are services like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computer Tomography (CT) scans, and Echocardiograms. These services allow physicians t...
The role of the radiologist is one that has undergone numerous changes over the years and continues to evolve a rapid pace. Radiologists specialize in the diagnoses of disease through obtaining and interpreting medical images. There are a number of different devices and procedures at the disposal of a radiologist to aid him or her in these diagnoses’. Some images are obtained by using x-ray or other radioactive substances, others through the use of sound waves and the body’s natural magnetism. Another sector of radiology focuses on the treatment of certain diseases using radiation (RSNA). Due to vast clinical work and correlated studies, the radiologist may additionally sub-specialize in various areas. Some of these sub-specialties include breast imaging, cardiovascular, Computed Tomography (CT), diagnostic radiology, emergency, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), musculoskeletal, neuroradiology, nuclear medicine, pediatric radiology, radiobiology, and Ultrasound (Schenter). After spending a vast amount of time on research and going to internship at the hospital, I have come to realize that my passion in science has greatly intensified. Furthermore, both experiences helped to shape up my future goals more prominently than before, which is coupled with the fact that I have now established a profound interest in radiology, or rather nuclear medicine.
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...
In the radiology profession first you must write the patient’s file. This includes information about insurance, medical history, what the required x-ray is for and where it is going to be taken on the body. Writing in this way is similar to writing a small research paper. You must do research on the patients and there history and what insurance they have. Writing the report is important because the information must be accurate so the patient can be helped as much as possible. If the information about medical history is incorrect it can cause a huge problem for the patient. For example, if the patient is claustrophobic they would need to get an open room x-ray where the patient isn’t in an enclosed tube so they don’t have a panic attack and potentially injure themselves and others. It is very important to make sure the report has the correct area of where the x-ray needs to be taken. Having the wrong part of the body x-...
Computed tomography (CT) and Radionuclide imaging (RNI) are both a form of diagnostic imaging. Since they have been first introduced in medical imaging they both suffered a huge development over the years in terms of image acquisition and also patient radiation protection. The following essay it is going to focus on just a few important things that make CT and RNI similar and different in the same time. However this subject can be discussed in much depth, the focus is going to be on the similarities and differences of the physics imaging methods and also a small awareness of biological effects and radiation protection.
It has been shown that fetuses before 16 weeks are the most sensitive to any dose of ionizing radiation and have been shown to have lower IQ’s and verbal scores than those exposed after 16 weeks. Fetuses exposed after 16 weeks have the same amount of risk as children up to 10 years old getting cancer. It is very important to take in to consideration gestational age, shielding, the position of the x-ray tube and the amount of necessity that is considered in taking a radiographic image or performing a radiographic procedure in a pregnant woman.
In 1917 a young female right out of high school started working at a radium factory in Orange, New Jersey. The job was mixing water, glue and radium powder for the task of painting watch dials, aircraft switches, and instrument dials. The paint is newly inventive and cool so without hesitation she paints her nails and lips with her friends all the while not knowing that this paint that is making them radiant, is slowly killing them. This was the life of Grace Fryer. Today there are trepidations on the topic of radiation from fears of nuclear fallout, meltdowns, or acts of terrorism. This uneasiness is a result of events over the past one hundred years showing the dangers of radiation. Although most accidents today leading to death from radiation poisoning occur from human error or faults in equipment, the incident involving the now named "radium girls" transpired from lack of public awareness and safety laws. (introduce topics of the paper)
Radiation exposure can affect children as well an children have the risk of being the most harmfully effected by radiation because their body absorbs substances differently also their bodies can or are more likely to get certain kinds of cancers from too much exposure, “they are also closer to the ground, where radioactive fallouts settle.”
Without communication, the radiographer would not be about to complete an exam. Pediatric patients can be between the ages of 0-18. Between those 18 years, children mature and are able to communicate better with age. Pediatrics can be further be splits into infants, toddlers, preschoolers, elementary aged children, preteens, and teenagers. Communication with pediatrics has many challenges. When communicating with a pediatric patient, the radiographer also has to communicate with the parent, while still engaging the child. A pediatric patient may come into the radiology department scared, which can be a challenge. By communicating with a child during the entire procedure, the child will feel more comfortable. Hopefully the next time the child has to have a procedure in the radiology department they will not be as
Although no adverse health effects have been directly linked to low-dose radiation exposure, the medical community is playing it safe with regards to radiation. Most physicians are very careful about ordering radiologic tests. They should not order a study unless it will improve patient care. If you have a question about the importance or the necessity of a radiologic test that has been ordered for you, be sure to ask your physician.
Radiation therapists work closely with patients to fight cancer. According to Health Care Careers, Oncologists, Dosimetrists and nurses are some of the professionals that a radiation therapist works with while caring for a cancer patient. This group of professionals will determine a specialized treatment plan. The first step usually includes a CT scan performed by a radiologist to find the exact area that needs to be targeted with x-rays. Next, the therapist uses a special machine that emits radiation called a Linear Accelerator. They use this machine during a treatment called external beam therapy. During this process, the Linear Accelerator will project x-rays at targeted cancer cells or tumors. Another therapist will be in a different room monitoring the patient’s viral signs until the procedure is over. The external therapy l...
MRI Safety Education While Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a generally accepted safe technique, it comes with a host of safety issues which always require precaution. Therefore, MRI Safety Education is essential for healthcare professionals working in the MRI environment or those that refer patients for MRI scans. This will greatly help reduce the risk of injuries from failed safety procedures, and also continuously improve the safety and accessibility of MRI exams. Well, MRI safety can be divided into the following 3 aspects: 1.
Radiology is one of the few so-called “physical-science”-based fields of medicine, making it a challenging and rewarding application of an academic interest in science. It combines advanced knowledge of human physiology with principles of atomic physics and nuclear decay, electricity and magnetism, and both organic and inorg...
I chose this topic because I a found it as a very interesting thing which I wanted to know more about. I have been CT-scanned when I had concussion after a car accident when I was seven. Also because my father has been under a CT-scanner and a lot of my friends.