Recently Answered Questions
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Does the natural radiation level add to cancer risk?
Query: Hello doctor, Does the natural background radiation level (3 mS v per year) add to cancer risk on top of a dose from medical imaging, or is natural radiation separate or safe since we all receive it? Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. One mSv is the limit for the general public. The background is usually within this limit. But radiation workers have a limit of 20 mSv per year, which is also very safe. Also, doses from medical imaging can contribute. But the benefits from medical imaging offset any... Read Full »
I am pregnant. Will getting a CT scan harm my baby?
Query: Hi doctor, I am a 29 year old female, and I was hospitalized for a week due to UTI. As a part of it, a CT scan was taken, which showed that I am completely cured. Then the next day, a blood test showed two weeks pregnancy. I am worried that the CT scan would have an adverse effect on the baby. Could... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have gone through your question, and I understood your concerns. CT scan has strong radiations, and it is known to have adverse effects on the fetus. You should consult a gynecologist and decide further action. Hope you found the answer helpful. Do get back to more f... Read Full »
How do I calculate radiation dose from three scout scans?
Query: Hello doctor, I had a CT scan of the chest and abdomen. What is odd about this scan is that the technician did three scout scans before the final helical scan, which made me uncomfortable because I do not know how much radiation I received in those scans. When I got the CD, I looked at the dose repo... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have seen the reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity). From calculations, the total radiation dose received by you during the CT scan is likely 10 mSv. Please note that scout images give low dose and three scout images will not significantly increas... Read Full »
Is there a risk of radiation when an HSG test is done twice?
Query: Hi doctor, Three years back, I conceived for the first time without any medicine but unfortunately the pregnancy ended up in miscarriage. Since 8 months I am trying to conceive now. The following year I got a HSG test and was informed that both my fallopian tubes were blocked. Doctor said laparoscop... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your problem. HSG (Hysterosalpingography) is a good test. It will not only detect the block, but sometimes because of the pressure of the dye being inserted inside, the tubes sometimes open up. So, it actually at times cures the problem as well. There i... Read Full »
I am worried about developing bone cancer. Please help.
Query: Hello doctor, I am 29 years old, and I am worried about bone cancer. I have had two computed tomography (CT) scans for kidney stones around my abdomen area for a total of 7 mSv. I also had a CT scan of my head. I read that radiation can cause bone cancer. Should I be worried? Is it a low dose and no... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. It is true that radiation may cause cancer, but that is one person among one million people. Also, there is no family history of cancer, so not to worry. Eat antioxidants and fruits, exercise daily, and make your mind positive. Read Full »
I had frequent CT scans. Will I get cancer?
Query: Hi doctor, I am a 50 year old male. My height is 5'11" and weight is 170 lbs. I do not have any major health issue, but my brother and mother had recently come down with leukemia. Recently had a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis repeated with and without contrast material. Before four years, I also ... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. The recent computed tomography (CT) scan of abdomen and pelvis has a radiation dose of 12.366 mSv which means it is causing an additional cancer risk of 0.06 percent. This is quite low and not a reason to get worried. The radiation dose from the three CT scans for ... Read Full »
Is my hip X-ray overexposed with a 35 mAs setting?
Query: Hello doctor, I had a hip X-ray of 35 mAs. An average hip x-ray is supposed to be 20 mAs/.07 mSv. So if my hip x-ray was 35 mAs, how many more mSv have I received? Was I overexposed? Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. The x-ray power output depends on mAs (milliampere-seconds) and kVp (kilovoltage peak) parameters. The average hip x-ray can be done at about 20 to 30 mAs and 70 to 80 KVp. The general rule is that the percentage increase in mAs causes a similar increase in radiation... Read Full »
Is fluoroscopy for back pain advisable at 22 weeks of pregnancy?
Query: Hi doctor, I am 22 weeks pregnant. For my severe lumbar injury, shall I get a procedure done under fluoroscopy? Would I be able to see the baby in the fluoroscopy? Please help. Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Fluoroscopy is not advisable while you are pregnant and it is not recommended at all. Do take local treatment for a backache and take more rest. If constipation is there, then take proper treatment for it. This will all help in decreasing pain. If it is not avoidable, t... Read Full »
Does watching esophagus manometry affect the eyes?
Query: Hi doctor, I have a question about radiation. I had an esophageal manometry with high resolution together with a video scan of the esophagus. I was in a high flat bed and had contrast-liquid while they looked at my esophagus emptying that is swallowing process. They of course used as a small dose of... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. The radiation is focused on the location of study and therefore the x-ray emitted was towards your esophagus. Your eyes were safe and did not receive harmful levels of radiation. The nurse is supposed to wear the glasses because she attends many procedures on a dai... Read Full »
Am I likely to develop cancer after having multiple CT and MRI scans?
Query: Hi doctor, I am 29 years old. Within six months of having a delivery, I have done a head CT, and three chest CT studies to rule out PE. My first PE study was done with a protective shielding on my chest to reduce the radiation to my breasts. I did not have any shielding on my second study. During my... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. CT of the head might have given you two mSv radiation. CT of the abdomen and pelvis might have given you 14 mSv radiation. CT scan of the chest might have given you 45 mSv radiation. The total radiation dose received approximately is 61 mSv. You might have an additional... Read Full »