title: A method for minimizing the radiation exposure from scoliosis radiographs.
abstract: The radiation exposure resulting from standard scoliosis radiographs was determined for eighteen adolescent girls. The risk of inducing breast cancer was estimated from the skin-exposure doses. The average skin exposure to the breasts was 59.6 millirads (0.59 mGy) for the anteroposterior radiograph. Assuming a total of twenty-two anteroposterior radiographs during a course of treatment, the cumulative exposure would result in a 1.35% relative increase in the risk of development of breast cancer. By utilizing collimation of the x-ray beam and proper selection of grids, films, and screens, the radiation risk of scoliosis radiographs is minimized.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000209:etiology*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D011859:Radiography; D012306:Risk; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*