The radiation doses from common medical imaging procedures vary widely based on the specific type of procedure, the equipment used, the part of the body being examined, and the patient’s size. Here’s a general overview of the average effective radiation doses for some standard imaging procedures:
- X-ray:
- Chest X-ray: About 0.02-0.1 mSv
- Abdominal X-ray: Approximately 0.7 mSv
- Mammogram: 0.7 mSv
- Lumbar spine X-ray: About 1.5 mSv
- Dental X-ray: Very low, typically less than 0.005 mSv per image
- Computed Tomography (CT) Scans:
- Head CT: Typically about 2 mSv
- Chest CT: Approximately 5 to 7 mSv, but can vary; high-resolution scans may be slightly higher
- Lumbar Spine: 3.5mSv
- Abdomen and Pelvis CT: About 10 mSv
- CT Angiography: Can range from 5 to 20 mSv depending on the study
- Positron Emission Tomography (PET):
- PET scan (whole body): Typically around 14 mSv, but this can vary based on the specific radiotracer used and the protocol
- Nuclear Medicine Procedures:
- Bone Scan: Around 6 mSv
- Thyroid Scan: Varies depending on the isotope used; I-123 has about 0.4 mSv, whereas I-131 can have a much higher dose
It’s important to remember that these values are approximate and can vary. Additionally, the benefits of these imaging procedures typically far outweigh the risks from radiation exposure, especially when they are appropriately prescribed by healthcare professionals. The principle of ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) is always applied in medical imaging to minimize radiation exposure while achieving the necessary diagnostic quality.
For context, the average person is exposed to about 3 mSv of natural background radiation annually, though this can vary based on geographic location and other factors. Medical decisions regarding imaging are made based on a careful consideration of the patient’s specific health needs, the information the test will provide, and the associated risks.