The popularity of MRI computer tomography (CT) as a method of diagnosis in recent years has increased dramatically. In this regard, researchers are investigating the influence of ionizing radiation on the human body. In particular, recently published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, a study by Rita Redberg, MD, Professor of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).

The results show that the effect of ionizing radiation on the body during the CT scan diagnostic procedure may be greater than previously reported.

Risk of ionizing radiation is that it can cause cancer associated with radiation exposure on the fabric. Rita Redberg says: "Every day in the United States carried out nearly 19 500 research CT scan at the same time for each patient on average affects the radiation dose equivalent to those that would be obtained in the course of 30 442 radiographs. Given this fact, it is clear that large doses of radiation as a result of these scans will lead to an increase in the number of cancers. "The basis of the findings of Rita Redberg also formed research results obtained by other scientists.

Similar conclusions were made ​​Rebecca Smith-Bindman, MD, of UCSF, and colleagues, who measured the radiation doses received by patients as a result of a computer diagnostic MRI scan. The studies were conducted in four centers in San Francisco. It was found that doses of radiation emitted during CT, on average four times higher than those that would have to be in accordance with the quoted dose for these studies.

In the second study, Amy Berrington de Gonzalez, Ph.D., associate lecturer at Johns Hopkins University and colleagues have constructed a model to assess the degree of risk of the cancer risk of age-induced by ionizing radiation during CT. As a result, it was found that in the future can be expected to increase the number of cancers (about 29 000 cases) associated with the passage of patients, CT. And were analyzed only for 2007.

Based on the results of these two studies, Rita Redberg says: "As compared to the year 2007 marked increase in cases of diagnostic CT, we should expect and increase in the number of oncological diseases. Therefore, physicians and patients should not close our eyes to the dangers of ionizing radiation. Otherwise, there is a risk of creating a "time bombs" and dramatically undermine the health of citizens in our society. "

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