Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors. Inc.
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Computed Tomography              Image Gently Campaign

[Page updated 3/30/08]      
 

CT Scanning of Healthy People Discouraged The Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors (CRCPD) discourages patients without symptoms from obtaining Computed Tomography (CT) Scans until scientific studies demonstrate that they are effective in reducing disease or mortality. The CRCPD passed a resolution based upon current information on the growing business of providing CT scans to individuals who are asymptomatic (have no disease symptoms).  CRCPD is a national organization whose primary membership includes individuals in state and local government who regulate the use of radioactive material and radiation sources.  The members agree that CT can be a useful diagnostic tool when a person has signs or symptoms of some particular disease.  CT can also be extremely helpful in determining the extent of some diseases and monitoring the effects of treatment.  However, no scientific studies have demonstrated that CT screening of individuals without symptoms provides a greater probability of benefit than harm.    The resolution indicated that the potential risks of CT scans for an individual included false positives, false negatives, and increased possibility of cancer induction from X-ray exposure during the scan.  Although these risks are inherent in any CT scan, there would have been no medical recommendation to obtain the scan for asymptomatic individuals.  A typical CT examination may only increase the possibility of fatal cancer by 1 in 2000 compared to the natural incidence in the United States of about 1 in 5.  When not medically indicated, even this small increase in radiation-associated cancer can become a public health concern if many individuals obtain CT scans or if an individual obtains numerous CT scans during their lifetime. CRCPD members agreed that they should actively discourage self-referral CT screening through the application of individual state authority and require all CT scans be specifically ordered and authorized by a physician after a medical consultation.  In addition, CRCPD supports the application of a quality assurance program for every CT machine to ensure that good imaging technique is used to help avoid unnecessary radiation exposure.

Like One Hundred X-rays? Study Suggests Many Referring Physicians Don’t Grasp or Explain to Patients the Radiation Exposure Involved With CT By Matthew Robb.  This article was in the July 19, 2004 issue of Radiology Today. [Link posted 11/12/04] Whole-body CT screening article in February 10, 2003 Oncology Times [Link changed from information discussing the article to the article itself on 3/20/03.] CRCPD Survey of CT Screening  [Posted 3/15/03] >>Background Information Re Self-Referred Whole-Body Computed Tomography Screening (by CRCPD H-3 Committee on Medical Practice [Posted 3/15/03] >> CRCPD Resolution on CT Scanning >> FDA on CT scans >> FDA Brochure on Full-Body Scans, What You Need to Know [a trifold brochure] >> ACR Position on CT Screening >>NEXT 2000 Protocol for Survey of Computed Tomography >>February 2001 Q.A. Collectible: Computed Tomography Fluoroscopy.  This Collectible provides a brief description of CT fluoroscopy and lists important radiation safety inspection objectives. >>October 1998 Q.A. Collectible: Developing a Technique Chart for a CT SystemCWhy is it Important? This collectible includes an example of exposure differences using different techniques. >>25 Years of NEXT Trifold >>Publication: Nationwide Evaluation of X-Ray Trends (NEXT) Summary of 1990 Computerized Tomography Survey and 1991 Fluoroscopy Survey, January 1994, CRCPD Publication 94-2 ($25.00).

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