Computed Tomography Radiation Safety Issues in Ontario

ISSUE:

Computed tomography (CT) is a powerful tool for the accurate and effective diagnosis and treatment of a variety of conditions because it allows high-resolution three-dimensional images to be acquired very quickly.  Therefore, the use of CT has increased substantially over the past decade, resulting in growing concern over the radiation dose from CT.  CT technological advances, such as the 64-slice CT scanner released in 2005, have led to new clinical CT applications that could result in further increases in patient radiation dose.

METHODS:

This appraisal discusses the CT radiation dose issues found through a literature review, a CT survey conducted at 20 Ontario healthcare institutions (18 respondents) with 64-slice CT scanners, and interviews with CT experts.  The topics that are appraised in this report include methods to reduce radiation dose, testing and inspection of CT scanners, coronary CT angiography radiation issues, and dental CT radiation issues.

RESULTS:

There are significant variations between Ontario healthcare institutions in several areas of CT radiation protection practices, including the use of CT scanning protocols, the use of CT patient shielding, and CT scanner testing.  The findings from this appraisal have provided insights on areas of CT radiation protection that require improvements.  These insights have been used to create recommendations that will likely be implemented in the near future to enhance CT radiation protection in Ontario.

PUBLICATIONS: 

Computed Tomography Radiation Safety Issues in Ontario (793 KB)
Date of issue: August 16, 2006