title: Factors affecting radiation injury.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  During the past several decades, the number of diagnostic tests and procedures that require the administration of radiation has increased dramatically. Understanding which factors affect radiation injury and how to mitigate these to protect patients has become critical for physicians to understand. Informed consent for these procedures has to include a discussion of the risks of radiation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Factors that affect radiation injury, as well as ways to mitigate these, are discussed. Informed consent is also reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Technical factors of the radiation delivery and patient factors both influence the dose of radiation received. Minimizing exposure is critical, and close examination of the patient is warranted to diagnose radiation injury. True informed consent includes a frank discussion of the radiation risks as well as the benefits of the procedure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Minimizing patient radiation exposure and accurately diagnosing radiation injury are key skills with which any physician ordering or performing tests or procedures requiring the use of radiation needs to be familiar. Informed consent includes a discussion of the risks as well as the benefits of the proposed radiation exposure.
authors.affiliation: Division of Vascular Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Lois A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Killewich
authors.forename: Garietta
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Falls
authors.forename: Tara M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Mastracci
authors.forename: Kellie R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D057510:Endovascular Procedures; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors