HOW SAFE IS YOUR CT SCAN?

Risk of radiation during CT scans:
CT scans have become commonplace and are an essential part of investigations,
that the consultant/ doctor advises, today. However, have CT scans been taken for granted, as truly safe for the patient?

Recent studies done (http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/ct/risks.html ) in USA and Europe suggest that there is a small but significant risk of radiation induced cancer, occurring due to
CT scans. These conclusions have been made after the release of the BEIR VII report
( BEIR VII Press Release: Low Levels of Radiation May Cause Harm ).
According to the report, the National Academy of Sciences, has described a 1-in-1000 chance of developing cancer from a single radiation exposure of 10 mSv.
(mSv is a unit of measuring the amount of radiation a person receives).
10 mSv is the amount of radiation a patient receives during a single CT scan study of the
abdomen, chest or the pelvis. The study also finds that the risk in children is even
higher. 1 in every 550 children scanned would develop cancer due to the CT scan.
The recommendations of the study are that persons under 40 yrs. age should be carefully
screened to avoid unnecessary scans. This is specially true whilst scans involve the gonads.
A CT scan of the head exposes you to about 2 mSv, a scan of the chest is about 8 mSv, and a study of the abdomen and pelvis is about 10 mSv. A normal person is
exposed to 3 to 5 mSv of radiation every year (ie: radiation from soil and atmosphere).
The real problem arises when a person (especially those under 40 and children) are
subjected to repeated scans, with doses exceeding 50 mSv.

Conclusion: Be judicious in the use of CT scans. Though there are definite risks
involved in repeated scans, they are to be carefully weighed against the numerous diagnostic benefits this tool provides.

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Scan your computer hard drive for malicious software, adware, scumware etc.
you might have picked up from the internet.

Dr.Anatoly--a radiologist and an artist

My good friend, Dr. Anatoly, from Kiev, Ukraine,
feels the human body and its insides
are a work of art to be perfected through 3D
graphics as he demonstrates so well in these pictures.
They show the female reproductive organs in
3Dimensions. Unfortunately, this site does not
allow moving 3D- animations which is what these are.

AN AMAZING, TRUE, MEDICAL FAIRYTALE

Did you know that fairy tales could turn out to be as real as reality?
This is one that captures the imagination. It is woven around a background of war, intertwining the
destiny of strangers in far away lands. It is about friendship between people who have never met,
except through the medium of the internet. Strangers, who've never seen each other, except through
photographs on a computer monitor.
It is about a group of people - a doctor in Afghanistan, Dr. Wahaaj, and his struggles in war ravaged Afghanistan and a sonographer based in the USA, a lady named Marveen Craig.
The link: http://www.sonoworld.com/Sonoworld/Editorials/Marveen.aspx tells the story of how "determination
and perseverance can change lives". It is about how ordinary people can do extraordinary feats.
Why does this story concern me? I know both Wahaaj and Marveen, of course, in the virtual world.
We have talked, exchanged pictures, but never met. Both of them are dear friends, whom I have known
since the time I have joined MI, a email group devoted to medical imaging.

Really cool web sites- my selection

A) Business and finance:
1)FOR Indian MUTUAL FUNDS this is the best:
www.valueresearchonline.com
It has a lovely portfolio manager. I could not find any that can compare with this one.
2) For advise on ways to make money, especially, internet based small business-
this is good: www.seekluck.com
3) To check the sensex value and the share market: try http://www.bseindia.com/
or you could try the NSE at : http://www.nseindia.com/
B) about all things Cochin and Kerala: try this good blog- http://indulekhainfo.blogspot.com/
It covers current hot topics in Kerala, especially on the literary front, books, cooking etc.
It also has a detailed explanation on how to download and install Malayalam font.
C) For POP supported email services:1) try http://www.usermail.com/
POP or post-office protocol is what enables receiving email via Outlook, Eudora or other email
client software. Usermail charges a small fee, but has excellent service. I have been using it for
the past 3 years. It is virus free and spam free.
2) Gmail is also an excellent option. But the only problem is that you've got to be invited by a Gmail
member.
D) To help you choose that fancy digicams, TVs, PDA and mobile phones this
web site is great. It has prices and detailed specification of the latest and older models.
http://www.myproductadvisor.com/mpa/home.do
You can even compare the various features of all the models that catch your eye.
E) Want to verify whether that email or information you received is fact or fiction.
Try this site: http://www.truthorfiction.com
F) To translate this web-site to other languages, try this link:
http://babelfish.altavista.com/
G) For those magic home remedies for every ailment, try this site: http://www.mothernature.com/index.cfm
This site has many useful tips, which doctors themselves may find useful.

If you are interested in ultrasound, this web site is a must. It has a large collection of ultrasound images with a brief description of each case. Visit: free to view ultrasound gallery>>http://drjoea.googlepages.com/

Dr. Joe's ULTRASOUND SCAN CENTRE

Hi,

I am DR. JOE ANTONY, a radiologist having an ultrasound scan clinic here in Cochin, Kerala, S. India.
I intend to set up pages (on this blog site) to explain sonographic techniques, images etc.,
for the medical professionals and the lay person.
My ultrasound scan clinic-- DR. JOE'S ULTRASOUND SCAN, is located at No. 34, LIG COLONY, JUDGES AVENUE, OPPOSITE GRAND FRESH SUPERMART, KALOOR, COCHIN- 682018. The location is ideally placed, just 2 Kms. from
the North Railway station (Ernakulam Town station) and has a City Bus stop (Lisie Bus stop) and Lisie Metro station just close to it.
Auto- rickshaws and taxis are easily available here.
Ultrascan centre is located just opposite Grand Fresh supermart/ shopping mall at Judges Avenue, Kaloor, Cochin.
And yes, there is car parking space available, close to my ultrasound clinic.
FACILITIES AT Dr. JOE'S ULTRASOUND, COLOR DOPPLER AND ECHO (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY) SCAN CENTRE:
1)My ultrasound scan centre uses the state of the art high resolution NEMIO XG (TOSHIBA) COLOR DOPPLER ULTRASOUND machine.
The ultrasound and color Doppler machine has 4 probes -
1) a convex 3.5/ 5  Mhz abdominal probe for scan of the abdomen and pelvis;
2)I also use a multifrequency high resolution endocavity probe for scan of the
female pelvic organs- uterus, ovaries, vagina etc. This probe is used for TRUS (transrectal ultrasound scan) of the prostate in males.
3)Linear high frequency probe (5 to 11 MHz) to scan superficial organs
The testes, thyroid and breast can also be studied with this probe. This is also useful for color Doppler scan of the peripheral arteries and veins.
In the male, I use this probe to scan the prostate by the transrectal route.
All these scans are done with a disposable protective sheath covering the probe.
For imaging of the breast, scrotum and thyroid etc., we use the high frequency 7 to 11 Mhz linear probe.
Almost every superficial part, including the joints and musculoskeletal regions can be scanned with this ultrasound probe. The color Doppler function of this small parts linear probe helps us to perform excellent color Doppler imaging (scans) of the carotid artery, jugular veins and veins and arteries of the limbs.
Varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis are also imaged well using the color Doppler system.
4) Echocardiography (echo) probe for imaging of the heart in adults and children. This is useful in diagnosing conditions such as heart valve disease and coronary artery disease.
Other features:
Broad band- Net connectivity and internet based consultation: any interesting or unusual cases
are transmitted via the internet to groups of sonologists/ radiologists world wide for immediate
exchange of views and ideas.
Also possible to transmit the scan report to the patient's email id.
3) AMPLE SPACE: Ultrascan centre occupies nearly 1200 sq feet of space.
The patient's waiting room is large and can seat at least 20 people at a time.

4) The clinic is airconditioned. Back up power is available in case of power outage.
CONTACT ME at:
91- 86065 31688 
91- 484-2403058 (clinic)
9388623088 (mobile).
WORKING HOURS: 10.30 AM TO 4:00 PM. (IST).
Email:  drjoea (at) gmail (dot) com