Radiation in CT (basics for patients)

This is a rough way to estimate how much radiation you got from a CT scan. I also put it into context.

[@cluadlinedowen3266]

Time to start taking note of Dose Length Product.

[@user-rz8ld7iq8h]

Thanks Rishi. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge and perspective. I am a technologist and I have a question regarding patient shielding. Do you have any suggestions for communicating with patients regarding why shielding is no longer necessary for routine radiography ? I am referring to the NCRP's statement in 2021 which recommends ending routine gonadal shielding. Thanks.

[@ThoracicRadiology]

Hi great question. It's tough bc it seems counterintuitive to patients. If they are a photographer, it is easy to understand bc these machines use automatic exposure, so you can explain that the shielding actually increases the exposure bc it makes the body part look more dense than it actually is. I would also explain the inverse square law. Basically the farther away you get from the source, the radiation falls off exponentially. What strategies have you taken to explain? You probably have much more experience talking to patients than I do.

[@-horapolice4309]

What is the difference between ct kub and ct abdomen? I heard ct kubs done without contrast and uses very low dose

[@ThoracicRadiology]

yeah a CT KUB is a special CT of the abdomen and pelvis done with a low radiation dose. It is done without contrast. They are usually performed to look for renal stones, and are not used for much else outside of this indication.