The increase in the use of CT scanning accounted for much of the overall rise in radiation exposure. In 1996, 30% of patients’ exposure to ionizing radiation was attributed to CT studies; by 2010, 68% of exposure was attributed to CT studies.
"The increase in use of advanced diagnostic imaging has almost certainly contributed to both improved patient care processes and outcomes, but there are remarkably few data to quantify the benefits of imaging. Given the high costs of imaging – estimated at $100 billion annually – and the potential risks of cancer and other harms, these benefits should be quantified, and evidence-based guidelines for using imaging should be developed that clearly balance benefits against financial costs and health risk," Dr. Smith-Bindman and her colleagues said.
This study was funded by the National Cancer Institute and the National Institutes of Health. No financial conflicts of interest were reported by Dr. Smith-Bindman and her coinvestigators.