title: The health risks of ionizing radiation from computed tomography.
abstract: Concerns have increased about the potential health risks of ionizing radiation from computed tomography (CT) scans. This paper discusses the biological effects of radiation, describes research findings related to CT use, cites strategies for radiation dose reduction, and emphasizes the need to be judicious in ordering CT scans for children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UNC Health Care System, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Physician Assistant Studies, Elon University, Elon, NC, USA. diane_armao@med.unc.edu.
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Armao
authors.affiliation: Departments of Radiology and Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
authors.forename: J Keith
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D006801:Humans; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000009:adverse effects*