title: [Is medical imaging iatrogenic?].
abstract: Imaging is an indispensable element of modern medicine but is not without risk. Low-dose irradiation due to spinal, abdominal, pelvic or cardiac radiography, and the increasing use of CT carries an additional, albeit moderate risk of cancer. Iodinated and gadolinium-containing contrast media, besides their direct toxicity, can trigger hypersensitivity and allergic-like reactions. Spinal and articular diagnostic injections can also lead to complications. This article reviews the direct iatrogenicity of diagnostic imaging and current efforts to limit it through the use of new radiological systems, lower-dose CT non ionic contrast media, and alternative imaging techniques. The authors also examine the less known but more frequent problem of indirect iatrogenesis, which is highly dependent on the quality of the imaging personnel and technique. Finally, we propose some legislative solutions to this problem.
authors.forename: Gérard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Morvan
mesh_terms: D003287:Contrast Media / Q000009:adverse effects; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D033162:Incidental Findings; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000009:adverse effects; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011677:Punctures / Q000009:adverse effects; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011859:Radiography / Q000009:adverse effects; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging / Q000009:adverse effects; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000009:adverse effects; D019564:Unnecessary Procedures
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media