title: Eye lens radiation exposure and repeated head CT scans: A problem to keep in mind.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The deterministic character of radiation-induced cataract is being called into question, raising the possibility of a risk in patients, especially children, exposed to ionizing radiation in case of repeated head CT-scans. This study aims to estimate the eye lens doses of a pediatric population exposed to repeated head CTs and to assess the feasibility of an epidemiological study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children treated for a cholesteatoma, who had had at least one CT-scan of the middle ear before their tenth birthday, were included. Radiation exposure has been assessed from medical records and telephone interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of the 39 subjects contacted, 32 accepted to participate. A total of 76 CT-scans were retrieved from medical records. At the time of the interview (mean age: 16 years), the mean number of CT per child was 3. Cumulative mean effective and eye lens doses were 1.7mSv and 168mGy, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A relatively high lens radiation dose was observed in children exposed to repeated CT-scans. Due to that exposure and despite the difficulties met when trying to reach patients' families, a large scale epidemiological study should be performed in order to assess the risk of radiation-induced cataracts associated with repeated head CT.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety, IRSN/DRPH/SRBE/Laboratoire d'Epidémiologie, BP 17, 92 262 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.
authors.forename: Morgane
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Michel
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jacob
authors.forename: Gilles
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Roger
authors.forename: Béatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pelosse
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Laurier
authors.forename: Hubert Ducou
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Le Pointe
authors.forename: Marie-Odile
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Bernier
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002386:Cataract / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006257:Head / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007905:Lens Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011874:Radiometry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*