The safety and long-term health effects of low-dose radiation from medical imaging.

Introduction

The safety and long-term health effects of low-dose radiation from medical imaging have been a topic of significant concern and debate. With the increasing use of diagnostic procedures such as X-rays, CT scans, and PET scans, understanding the potential risks associated with low-dose radiation exposure is crucial for both the medical community and the general public.

Key Insights

Cancer Risk and Low-Dose Radiation:
- There is no clear evidence that low-dose radiation (below 100 mSv) significantly increases cancer risk, and some studies even suggest potential beneficial effects (hormesis) .
- However, some studies indicate a slight increase in cancer risk and cancer-related deaths with cumulative low-dose radiation exposure from medical imaging.
Biological Effects and Mechanisms:
- Low-dose radiation can cause cytogenetic changes and DNA damage, as evidenced by increased chromosomal aberrations and micronucleus frequency in patients undergoing CT imaging .
- The biological effects of low-dose radiation are still not fully understood, and more research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms and long-term consequences.
Regulatory and Safety Measures:
- Current regulations based on the linear no-threshold (LNT) model may be overly conservative, as there is insufficient evidence to support significant health risks at low doses.
- Efforts to minimize radiation exposure through optimized imaging protocols and appropriateness criteria are essential to reduce potential risks.
Non-Cancer Health Effects:
- Low-dose radiation from PET scans did not significantly increase cancer frequency or shorten latency in cancer-prone mice, but it did reduce kidney disease, suggesting that specific tissues might benefit from low-dose exposure.

Conclusion

The long-term health effects of low-dose radiation from medical imaging remain a complex and debated issue. While some studies suggest minimal or even beneficial effects, others indicate a slight increase in cancer risk with cumulative exposure. The biological mechanisms underlying these effects are not fully understood, necessitating further research. Current regulatory measures may be overly cautious, and ongoing efforts to optimize imaging protocols are crucial to ensure patient safety.

The safety and long-term health effects of low-dose radiation from medical imaging.

Summary

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Radiation exposure from medical imaging must not be taken out of context.

Low-dose radiation from medical imaging is associated with a linear no-threshold model, suggesting that minimizing radiation doses in cardiac imaging studies can reduce long-term cancer risks.

Health Impacts of Low-Dose Ionizing Radiation: Current Scientific Debates and Regulatory Issues

Low-dose ionizing radiation has no proven detrimental health effects below 100 mSv, and several studies suggest beneficial effects, suggesting the current regulatory burden should be reduced.

Low-dose radiation from 18F-FDG PET does not increase cancer frequency or shorten latency but reduces kidney disease in cancer-prone Trp53+/- mice.

Low-dose radiation from 18F-FDG PET does not increase cancer frequency or shorten latency, but reduces kidney disease in cancer-prone Trp53+/- mice.

Long-term outcome and medical radiation exposure in patients hospitalized for cardiovascular disease.

Medical radiation exposure from imaging procedures is predictive of cancer risk and cancer death in cardiac patients, with non-cardiovascular causes being responsible for nearly half of later deaths.

BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF LOW-DOSE RADIATION FROM CT IMAGING.

Low-dose radiation from CT imaging may cause cytogenetic changes, cancer risk, and radiation-induced cataracts, but more comprehensive studies are needed to fully understand its biological effects.

Assessment of dose and DNA damages in individuals exposed to low dose and low dose rate ionizing radiations during computed tomography imaging.

CT imaging delivers considerable radiation dose to the eye, forehead, and thyroid, with significant increases in chromosomal aberration and micronucleus frequencies, highlighting the need for protective regulatory measures.

Exposure to low-dose ionizing radiation from medical imaging procedures.

Imaging procedures are an important source of ionizing radiation exposure in the United States, with high cumulative effective doses of radiation, increasing with age and higher in women than men.

Eliminating the stigma: A systematic review of the health effects of low-dose radiation within the diagnostic imaging department and its implications for the future of medical radiation.

Low-dose radiation in diagnostic imaging has various beneficial effects, and redefining current radiation limits could improve patient diagnosis and public health.

Are Continued Efforts to Reduce Radiation Exposures from X-Rays Warranted?

Low-dose X-rays are safe and can't cause harm, and efforts to reduce exposures are a waste of resources as long as imaging is medically warranted.

DNA damage-associated biomarkers in studying individual sensitivity to low-dose radiation from cardiovascular imaging.

DNA damage-associated biomarkers can help study individual sensitivity to low-dose radiation from cardiovascular imaging, potentially aiding in balancing benefits and risks in clinical decision-making.

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