Computed Tomography- How “GOLDEN” is this “GOLD STANDARD”?

Samiran D Adhikary* and Gaurav Aggarwal

Received: June 17, 2018;   Published: June 25, 2018

DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2018.06.001296

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Abstract

A CT Scan (Computed Tomography) is the accepted “Gold Standard” for diagnosis, treatment planning as well as follow ups of almost all bodily cancers. We, as oncologists, are so much engrossed in prescribing CT’s that we fail to ponder upon the “radiation dose” conferred by each scan to our patient. To contemplate, with each scan, a patient receives anything between 18-34mGy of radiation [1,2]. This ionizing radiation in itself is associated with its own health hazards and even considered responsible for the development of future cancers [1,2]. Berrington et al. [2] in their study of CT Scans performed in the US, in one year, projected that nearly 30,000 future cancers were likely to occur, due to CT Scans done in one year, with greater than 50% contribution from Abdomino- Pelvic CT Scans [2].

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