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SnowWa · 02-03-2006, 08:42 PM

I worked and was a supervisor in Radiology for more than 15 years - and my husband was a Radiologist.

I can see that there are many misconceptions about different procedures and radiation fears.

Regular X-rays emit radiation.
CT scans also emit radiation.
MRIs do not.

Any radiation you receive during a procedure cannot be transmitted to another person or animal.

If you are pregnant - and you have your foot, neck, hand, head, etc. x-rayed, the radiation goes only to those particular areas. There is some "scattered radiation," which is almost nothing and cannot harm a fetus.

If you need to have your pelvis or abdomen, etc. x-rayed while you are pregnant, the amount of radiation you receive during these procedures will not hurt the fetus. Nevertheless, x-ray (radiation) is avoided, whenever possible, if a woman is pregnant.

You need not worry about carrying any radiation to other people or animals after any of the above procedures.

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Radioactive contrast materials are used for many procedures. These are usually given intravenously and cause different areas of your body to show up better on images. This agent dissipates quickly from your system - and even prior to its being gone - can cause no problems for you or anyone else.

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The amounts of radiation used for all the above procedures and other special procedures is very highly regulated and meets stringent standards. Today's tests with more advanced equipment and techniques use far less radiation than was used years ago. I think some of the "old fears" still hang around today - but are no longer applicable.

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Hate to admit it - but I'm afraid that some of the misinformation some of you have received is from x-ray technicians (or other office employees) who are just trying to "be safe rather than sorry." A doctor (radiologist) certainly shouldn't have led you to worry about any radiation exposure to anyone else or your pets following any of the above procedures.

***** With the thousands of x-rays, CT scans, angiograms, and MRIs that I have assisted in - we have never advised anyone to stay away from other people or animals following the procedure.

Carol Jean

02-03-2006, 08:42 PM	#6
SnowWa YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: USA Posts: 2,992	I worked and was a supervisor in Radiology for more than 15 years - and my husband was a Radiologist. I can see that there are many misconceptions about different procedures and radiation fears. Regular X-rays emit radiation. CT scans also emit radiation. MRIs do not. Any radiation you receive during a procedure cannot be transmitted to another person or animal. If you are pregnant - and you have your foot, neck, hand, head, etc. x-rayed, the radiation goes only to those particular areas. There is some "scattered radiation," which is almost nothing and cannot harm a fetus. If you need to have your pelvis or abdomen, etc. x-rayed while you are pregnant, the amount of radiation you receive during these procedures will not hurt the fetus. Nevertheless, x-ray (radiation) is avoided, whenever possible, if a woman is pregnant. You need not worry about carrying any radiation to other people or animals after any of the above procedures. ---------- Radioactive contrast materials are used for many procedures. These are usually given intravenously and cause different areas of your body to show up better on images. This agent dissipates quickly from your system - and even prior to its being gone - can cause no problems for you or anyone else. ---------- The amounts of radiation used for all the above procedures and other special procedures is very highly regulated and meets stringent standards. Today's tests with more advanced equipment and techniques use far less radiation than was used years ago. I think some of the "old fears" still hang around today - but are no longer applicable. ----------- Hate to admit it - but I'm afraid that some of the misinformation some of you have received is from x-ray technicians (or other office employees) who are just trying to "be safe rather than sorry." A doctor (radiologist) certainly shouldn't have led you to worry about any radiation exposure to anyone else or your pets following any of the above procedures. ***** With the thousands of x-rays, CT scans, angiograms, and MRIs that I have assisted in - we have never advised anyone to stay away from other people or animals following the procedure. Carol Jean __________________ http://tinypic.com/ipxhmb.jpg A Yorkie is worth a thousand words.