Radiation Guide

Some people are concerned about radiation exposure. While an imaging study is generally safe, it is not entirely without risk—and not always needed to make a diagnosis. Your doctor will weigh the risks of the study against the benefits it will provide. For example, if a young man presents with the typical signs and symptoms of appendicitis, a CT of the abdomen is not necessary to make the diagnosis. On the other hand, a much older person with similar symptoms could have a variety of other diseases and may benefit from a CT of the abdomen.

Below is a chart that indicates the amount of radiation you are exposed to during medical procedures and how they compare to the amount of radiation you receive from nature.