A PET scan generally exposes a person to **more radiation than a CT scan alone**, but the difference depends on the specific type of CT scan and whether the PET is combined with CT. To understand why, it helps to…
A CT scan of the pelvis for gynecological issues typically exposes a patient to ionizing radiation in the range of about 15 to 16 milligray (mGy). This dose level is considered moderate compared to other types of CT scans and…
Computed tomography (CT) scans use ionizing radiation to create detailed images of the body’s internal structures. Because ionizing radiation has the potential to damage DNA, there is concern about whether exposure from CT scans could increase the risk of developing…
A chest CT scan performed to evaluate COVID-19 or its aftermath typically exposes a patient to **about 4 to 6 millisieverts (mSv) of radiation**. This amount varies depending on whether contrast dye is used; a non-contrast chest CT usually delivers…
Radiation from CT scans is indeed cumulative over your lifetime. This means that each time you undergo a CT scan, the ionizing radiation dose you receive adds to the total amount of radiation your body has been exposed to throughout…
A modern low-dose CT scan delivers significantly less radiation compared to older CT machines, thanks to advances in technology and improved scanning protocols. While traditional or older CT scanners often exposed patients to relatively high doses of ionizing radiation—sometimes exceeding…
Yes, radiation exposure generally increases with the number of slices in a CT scan, but the relationship is not simply linear and depends on several technical factors. A CT scan works by taking multiple X-ray images from different angles around…
When comparing the amount of radiation exposure from a fetal ultrasound to that from a computed tomography (CT) scan, the difference is extremely large. **Fetal ultrasounds do not use ionizing radiation at all**, whereas CT scans involve exposure to ionizing…
A CT scan involves exposure to ionizing radiation, which raises concerns about its safety during pregnancy. The key issue is whether the radiation from a CT scan can harm the developing fetus or increase risks such as miscarriage, birth defects,…
An **echocardiogram** involves using ultrasound waves (high-frequency sound waves) to create images of the heart, and it does **not expose the patient to any ionizing radiation**. In contrast, a **CT scan (computed tomography)** uses X-rays, which are a form of…