Medical radiation procedures such as plain x-rays, mammograms, cardiac catherization, CT scans and nuclear medicine studies are intended to detect or treat life-threatening conditions. More often than not, the benefits of the procedure far outweigh the small, and to some extent hypothetical, risks.

Researchers at DRDL are working to characterize the radiation exposure due to many medical radiation procedures in adults and children, including cardiac catherization and the latest-generation CT scanners. The information obtained by DRDL can assist physicians in making informed decisions regarding the risks and benefits of medical radiation exposure to their patients.

For more information on managing medical radiation exposure, you can consult the following resources:

• 'Image Gently' Campaign for CT Imaging in Children
• DRDL publications for information in the peer-reviewed literature on radiation dose due to specfic procedures.
• HPS Physicians' Portal
• HPS Public Information