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Is CT scan safe for pulsatile tinnitus?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I have had pulsatile tinnitus for over a year. I have had MRA, MRV, MRI, CT of the brain, CT of the temporal bone, and angiogram of the head and neck. I had a second opinion, and the doctor thought he saw something on MRV. He wants me to have a CT of the brain. My question is, will CT cause too much radiation to the brain?

Please advise.

Thank you.
Answered by Dr. Ismail Mikdat Kabakus

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

First of all, I am pretty sure that you know there is no radiation from MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging), MRV (Magnetic resonance venography), and MRA (magnetic resonance angiography). When it comes to CT (computed tomography), I will give you some numbers and a comparable natural background radiation.

  1. CT Head 1.6 mSv, 7 months natural background radiation.
  2. CTA Head and Neck 2.8 mSv, 12 months natural background radiation.
  3. CT Temporal Bone 1.0 mSv, 4 months natural background radiation.

The patient's average radiation dose received from medical exposures is about 3 to 4 mSv per year. Your radiation exposure is slightly higher than average. I suggest the following:

  1. First, make sure that CT is really needed. There are lots of artifacts on MRV that might not need further investigation.
  2. Secondly, if it is not urgent, wait around three months before getting your CT.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the response.

I did not have a CT of the head. It was an angiogram of the head, which maybe is worse. This doctor was a second opinion, and he thought he saw something in MRV, as blood is not flowing from the back of the neck on both sides equally. Four years ago, I got autoimmune disease dermatomyositis and had yearly CT scans for three years of chest, abdomen, and pelvis. That is over. I am 60 years old. Do you think overall, all these CT scans are concerning? Do you think I could get brain cancer from all these brain scans?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Ismail Mikdat Kabakus

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I have many patients who has to have yearly CT scans for various reasons. From my personal experience, I have never seen any of them to get brain cancer due to medical radiation. I would still recommend you to stay away from radiation when possible, according to ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) principle, as low as reasonably achievable.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Answered byDr. Ismail Mikdat Kabakus

Medically reviewed byDr. Meera Premanand

Published At May 4, 2022
Reviewed AtMay 27, 2026

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Ismail Mikdat Kabakus
Dr. Ismail Mikdat Kabakus

Radiology

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