� Does computerized tomography (CT) in children really increase their risk for malignancy?
A large study was published in April of 2023 detailing the risks of leukemia, intracranial tumours and lymphomas in childhood and early adulthood after pediatric radiation exposure from computed tomography.
So what did this retrospective, case-control, cohort study show?
🌟 Study Highlights:
➡ Nested, population-based, case–control study using data from Taiwan’s publicly funded health care system.
➡ Patients were selected with the following criteria
Age < 25
Newly diagnosed intracranial tumours, leukemia or lymphoma (Jan. 1, 2000, to Dec. 31, 2013)
➡ 7,807 cases matched to 78,057 controls (10 patients without cancer of same age, gender, day of data entry)
📊 Key Findings:
➡️ Patients exposed to >4 CT scans had an elevated incidence (IRR 2.30, 95% confidence interval 1.43–3.71) of intracranial tumours, leukemia or lymphoma.
➡️ >4 or more CT scans at or before 6 years of age was associated with the highest risks of cancer.
💡 Conclusions:
1️⃣ A single pediatric CT scan did not increase risk of intracranial tumours, leukemia or lymphoma.
2️⃣ Although RRR does not show substantial increase in risk of malignancy, clinicians should continue to evaluate risk and benefit of CT imaging in comparison to other imaging modalities on a case-by-case basis.
3️⃣ Avoid CT under 6 years-of-age if possible. If CT is deemed necessary, utilize department ALARA protocols (as low as reasonably achievable)
4️⃣ Risk of acquired malignancy due to radiation seems to be cumulative and age related given increased susceptibility to oncogenesis by ionizing radiation.
🔗 Read this study included below for more detailed breakdown. Does this mean CT is an option (sometimes) in kids?