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Radiation exposure associated with imaging of the chest

Comparison of different radiographic and computed tomography techniques

  1. Stefan Diederich M.D.‡‡‡,*,
  2. Horst Lenzen M.S.

Article first published online: 7 DEC 2000

DOI: 10.1002/1097-0142(20001201)89:11+<2457::AID-CNCR22>3.0.CO;2-7

Issue

Cancer

Cancer

Supplement: Prevention and Early Diagnosis of Lung Cancer

Volume 89, Issue Supplement 11, pages 2457–2460, 1 December 2000

Additional Information

How to Cite

Diederich, S. and Lenzen, H. (2000), Radiation exposure associated with imaging of the chest. Cancer, 89: 2457–2460. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(20001201)89:11+<2457::AID-CNCR22>3.0.CO;2-7

Author Information

  1. Institute of Clinical Radiology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany

  1. ‡‡‡

    fax: 49-251-8347312

*Institute of Clinical Radiology, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Strasse 33, D-48129 Münster, Germany

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 7 DEC 2000
  2. Article first published online: 7 DEC 2000
  3. Manuscript Received: 19 JUN 2000
  4. Manuscript Accepted: 19 JUN 2000

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Keywords:

  • radiation exposure;
  • chest radiography;
  • computed tomography

Abstract

Exposure to ionizing radiation due to radiologic examinations is associated with the risk of induction of malignancy. This has to be balanced against the potential benefits of detection of a malignant tumor with radiologic examinations. For comparison of radiation exposure levels from different sources, the concept of effective dose equivalent was developed, which is used to assess an individual's risk of developing malignancy. Effective dose equivalent ranges from 0.06 to 0.25 millisieverts (mSv) with chest radiography in 2 views, 3–27 mSv with computed tomography (CT) using conventional examination parameters, and 0.3–0.55 mSv using low dose CT settings. These values can be compared with radiation exposure levels from natural sources (on average 2.4 mSv per year in Germany). Based on considerations by the International Commission on Radiological Protection, it can be expected that radiation exposure with an effective dose equivalent of 1 mSv would lead to 5 additional malignancies in 100,000 individuals exposed. Cancer 2000;89:2457–60. © 2000 American Cancer Society.

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