Question 1

how many ct scans can i have in a 4-6 wk time span? i've had 2 chest, 2 head, 1 additional ct scan and abt to have 1 for renal artery and aorta w/cont

Accepted Answer

CT : That is a lot of scans and radiation. If your condition requires the studies so that the risk of radiation is outweighed by the benefit to having the ct info, that drives the decision. Talk to your doc.

Question 2

hello. i fear that i am getting too many ct scans. i think this will be my 5th one, and 3rd for head area. i had a massive headache on a plane, and did a ct scan, and another venogran ct right after. now im doin sinus ct tomorrow for same problem ?

Accepted Answer

: CT scans are useful in diagnosing medical problems. Having 3 in a short amount of time to diagnose a serious problem may occasionally be necessary. More important is your lifetime risk from CT's. If you are needing these every year or more, then you might want to discuss the risks with your Dr.

Question 3

how many ct scans are safe in q year?

Accepted Answer

None or a lot: The question is less about how many are safe and more about the question you're trying to answer. If you've been in a major car accident and are bleeding to death, 10 cts are very safe. If you are just curious to see your insides, none are safe. It is a decision of the risk of the scan versus the benefit of the information gained. It should be discussed with your md ordering the exam.

Question 4

scared about having too many ct scans. any data?

Accepted Answer

Caution: A ct abdomen equals about 500 chest xrays, add a pelvis, another 500. This is 5 years background radiation and exposure is cumulative. Worse when young! think twice about the real need before doing xrays. For more about risks and benefits of ct scans see fda webs: http://www.Fda.Gov/radiation-emittingproducts/radiationemittingproductsandprocedures/medicalimaging/medicalx-rays/ucm115317.Htm.

Question 5

will getting too many ct scans as a child cause motor development problems?

Accepted Answer

Very unlikely: Adverse neurocognitive functioning involving attention and concentration, visual perceptual skills, and memory, has been recognized in children who received high-dose cranial radiation or chemotherapy (for their leukemia or brain tumor).  Motor development seems unaffected.

Question 6

how many ct scans are "too many"? i know it can be dangerous to have a lot in a lifetime.

Accepted Answer

The answer is complex: A single CT scan subjects the human body to between 150 &amp; 1,100 times the radiation of a conventional x-ray,or around a year's worth of exposure to radiation from both natural &amp; artificial sources in the environment.Thus the answer to your question depends on what your MD's are looking for.If you are concerned you are getting too many let them know.Most MD's try to limit ordering unnecessary tests

Question 7

how many ct scans would you need to cause a significant risk? are full body scans a lot of radiation?

Accepted Answer

Life is more complex: One person cannot know if she will be the unlucky one to get cancer from the CT's. She may never get cancer despite many CT's, she may get cancer unrelated to the CT's, or she may be unlucky and get cancer from the CT's. One can try to live life in a relaxed manner, and not worry about all the possible things that can happen to unlucky people. Get a CT, MRI, or any test only when truly necessary!

Question 8

i've had to many ct scans this year maybe 8 on diff parts of body.does a mri have same amount of radiation ?

Accepted Answer

No!: Mri delivers no ionizing radiation of any kind. Ask your doctor if your conditions are amenable  to imaging with MRI or even ultrasound which also delivers no radiation.

Question 9

need doctor's help! will my eggs be damaged from too many ct scans?

Accepted Answer

Potentially: You were born with all your eggs already formed - you don't make new ones.  Ct scans use ionizing radiation.  If your pelvis was included in the scans, your ovaries were radiated.   Your pelvis should have been shielded with lead if your pelvis didn't need to be included in the scans.  Only get a ct if you really need one.  Sometimes an ultrasound or an MRI can answer the same questions.

Question 10

is there any system for tracking how many ct scans you can have every year since i am moving across the country?

Accepted Answer

Yes. CDs.: Get a cd from each place you got a ct and take it with you. It costs a few dollars and will be very valuable in the future. If you need a ct it is very helpful to look at prior exams to examine the changes over time.

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Doctor answers about:

Many ct scan

A member asked:

How many ct scans can i have in a 4-6 wk time span? i've had 2 chest, 2 head, 1 additional ct scan and abt to have 1 for renal artery and aorta w/cont

A member asked:

Hello. i fear that i am getting too many ct scans. i think this will be my 5th one, and 3rd for head area. i had a massive headache on a plane, and did a ct scan, and another venogran ct right after. now im doin sinus ct tomorrow for same problem ?

A member asked:

How many ct scans are safe in q year?

A member asked:

Scared about having too many ct scans. any data?

A member asked:

Will getting too many ct scans as a child cause motor development problems?

A member asked:

How many ct scans are "too many"? i know it can be dangerous to have a lot in a lifetime.

A member asked:

How many ct scans would you need to cause a significant risk? are full body scans a lot of radiation?

A member asked:

I've had to many ct scans this year maybe 8 on diff parts of body.does a mri have same amount of radiation ?

A member asked:

Need doctor's help! will my eggs be damaged from too many ct scans?

A member asked:

Is there any system for tracking how many ct scans you can have every year since i am moving across the country?

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