Imaging

• 67,6% of the radiation to which a person exposes herself has a natural origin (solar radiation, cosmic or mineral, for example);
• 30,7% of exposure result from radiotherapy or radiographic imaging processes;
• 0,6% result from an effect called fall out;
• 0,45% result from occupational exposure

X-rays (such as those used on CT) are a form of radiation, just as visible light, but they have a high penetration power and can penetrate the human body. Using appropriate equipment and techniques, X-rays can be used to produce images of structures inside the body to diagnose diseases or view anatomical structures.

All people are exposed to natural sources of radiation, such as cosmic radiation, radiation from the earth's crust, radioactivity from food, and from our own body. This radiation (gamma radiation) can induce biological effects similar to those of the X-rays used for medical examinations. Depending on where he lives, an individual may be exposed to dose values of 1 to 3 mSv / year, with a global average of 2.4 mSv / year. There are some places where inhabitants can be exposed to 10 mSv / year.

The dose of radiation applied in most X-ray diagnostic tests is relatively low. Concerns arise from the need for repeated examinations. Examinations at relatively higher doses such as CT and interventional radiology procedures are more likely to increase the risk of radiation-induced cancer. In the area of Dental Medicine the doses used are extremely low and minimal.

As long as the clinical benefits are considered superior to the potential risk of exposure to radiation, there is nothing to counteract the use of X radiation during pregnancy. With modern equipment and the proper technique, examinations of skull, feet, neck, shoulders and even chest can be performed safely during pregnancy. For other tests, specific considerations are necessary. Pregnant women should inform their doctors and other health professionals about their pregnancy or even the possibility of being pregnant. Aware this information, in abdominal and pelvic exams, especially in high dose procedures (computed tomography and fluoroscopy), the physician or health care provider in collaboration with the radiation protection specialist should weigh the benefits and associated risks.

The risk of radiation-induced cancers is low but cumulative. Each examination the patient undergoes slightly increases the risk. It is therefore recommended that doses to patients are reduced to the minimum necessary to guarantee adequate quality in the diagnosis.

The probability of radiation-induced cancer is between 5-6% per a 1000 mSv dose.

There are no restrictions on the use of X-rays in children as long as the clinical benefit outweighs potential risks of radiation exposure. Some organs have a greater sensitivity to radiation in children than in adults. In addition, children have a longer lifespan that potentiates the late manifestation of radiation-induced harmful effects. Therefore, imaging techniques that do not use ionizing radiation should always be considered as an alternative. Radiological procedures in children should be individually planned and limited to what is considered reasonably acceptable for a correct diagnosis.