1. Commentary: for the children's sake, avoid non-contrast CT.
- Author
-
McHugh K and Disini L
- Subjects
- Child, Child, Preschool, Humans, Radiography, Abdominal statistics & numerical data, Radiography, Thoracic methods, Radiography, Thoracic statistics & numerical data, Tomography Scanners, X-Ray Computed adverse effects, Contrast Media, Neoplasms diagnostic imaging, Radiography, Abdominal methods, Tomography Scanners, X-Ray Computed statistics & numerical data, Unnecessary Procedures
- Abstract
Enough literature now exists such that doing a non-contrast abdominal or chest computed tomography (CT) scan for suspected mass lesions in children borders on malpractice. Although there is great uncertainty regarding estimated radiation doses and long-term cancer risks in childhood, there is no doubt that an entirely unnecessary CT study does more harm than good. When a chest or abdominal mass is suspected in a child, only a post-intravenous contrast enhanced CT examination is needed, and a prior non-enhanced CT run exposes the child to unnecessary radiation.
- Published
- 2011
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