The Problem: Radiation Overexposure
CT Growth Trends are Expected to Continue
Since its introduction in the 1970’s, Computed Tomography (CT) has revolutionized diagnostic radiology by providing three-dimensional views of a specific organ or body part. Advances in CT technology since the seventies have resulted in more detailed CT imaging, critical to the early diagnosis and treatment of many medical conditions. Technological advances have also made CT imaging more user-friendly, for both patients and physicians.Consequently, use of Computed Tomography (CT) in the United States has increased significantly in recent years. It is estimated that over 62 million CT scans per year are obtained in the U.S. alone, including at least 4 million for children.1 The largest increases in CT use have been in the areas of adult screening and pediatric diagnosis. Growth in CT use is expected to continue as CT scans offer an extremely fast, anesthesia-free imaging method for children and as CT-based screening programs for Adult asymptomatic patients are expected to increase.
CT Radiation Dose is an Increasing Health Concern
While diagnostic benefits are significant, CT scans produce larger amounts of radiation then conventional x-ray imaging. While a single CT scan does not present an immediate health risk, multiple scans to an individual over a short or even longer period can increase risk to the individual. In fact, several factors contribute to increased CT radiation exposure for an individual including:- Different levels of radiation dose necessary for different body organs
- Patient lifestage and/or medical need
CT Radiation Dose by Body Part
There is a wide variation in radiation dosage for CT scans of different body parts as different organs require different dosages of radiation. For example, a full body CT exam can result in over double the radiation dose vs. that of an abdominal CT alone – and over 8 times the radiation dose of a head CT. Diagnostic full body scans, many of which are currently performed without the knowledge of primary care physicians, can expose the individual to significantly increased radiation, particularly if performed multiple times over one’s lifetime.
High Risk Patient Groups
While radiation exposure is an issue for the General Population, a greater threat exists for high-risk patient groups. Children are at high risk as they are inherently more radiosensitive, they have the potential to be exposed to more radiation during their lifetimes, and they have more years of life remaining during which a radiation-induced cancer can develop. For women and cancer patients, greater risk stems from an increased number of lifetime radiation exposures for such things as screening (mammography) and medical treatment (tumor-related).
Clarity™ CT Solution Goes Well Beyond Current CT Low Dose Control Features
Radiation doses to specific organs for any given CT study depend on numerous variables such as number of scans, tube current and scanning time, size of patient, axial scan range, scan pitch, tube voltage, and specific scanner being used. While CT radiation dose can currently be adjusted using standard dose control features on modern CT equipment, Clarity™'s advanced technology goes beyond the manufacturer's typical dose control feature dramatically reducing radiation to ultra-low levels while simultaneoulsy delivering improved image quality.
Clarity™ CT Solution is revolutionizing the Imaging Industry by delivering a significant and immediate impact in CT dose reduction while simultaneously improving image quality.
LESS RADIATION DOSE
Revolutionary new CT software technology – ClarityTM CT Solutions – provides improved safety for both patients and healthcare providers via dramatic dose reduction while increasing diagnostic confidence via better quality images.
ClarityTM CT Solution delivers an immediate impact in dose reduction for all patient groups.
ClarityTM CT Solution reduces radiation dosage by as much 80%!
ClarityTM CT Solution makes CT imaging safer for patients and medical staff.
Learn More>> ClarityTM Solution: Ultra Low Dose CT
BETTER IMAGE QUALITY
Revolutionary new CT software technology – ClarityTM CT Solutions – optimizes image quality at ultra-low radiation levels by utilizing patented image-filtering and image-enhancement algorithms to reduce noise, sharpen edges, and improve image visibility.
ClarityTM CT Solution optimizes image quality at ultra-low radiation levels.
ClarityTM CT Solution delivers a better quality image the first time, reducing the need for additional scans while increasing diagnostic confidence.
Learn More>> ClarityTM Solution: Better CT Image
Articles
1 Computed Tomography – An Increasing Source of Radiation Exposure. David J. Brenner, PhD., D.Sc., and Eric J. Hall, D.Phil., D.Sc. The New England Journal of Medicine, 357;22, November 29, 2007
2Doses from Computed Tomography (CT) Examinations in the UK – 2003 Review
3Radiation Exposure during Cardiac CT: Effective Doses at Multi-Detector and Electron-Beam CT
The Control of Radiation Exposure From CT Scans. Internet Journal of Radiology, 2003, ISSN: 1528-8404
Radiation Risks and Pediatric Computed Tomography (CT): A Guide For Health Care Providers. National Cancer Institute, posted 8/20/2002, updated 12/22/2008