Livonia Chiropractor - Kevin Venerus D.C.

Two new studies, from researchers at the University of California-San Francisco and the National Cancer Institute, suggest that hospitals may want to cut down on the volume of CT scans. One of the studies estimates that “about 29,000 future cancers could be related to CT scans performed in the United States in 2007 alone.” The researchers’ advice to patients: keep track of how many CT scans you receive, and discuss with your doctor if the CT scan is necessary.  Remember, CT scans are X-rays taken at multiple levels to give a better image of inside your body.  Some CT scans can give you as much radiation as 100 chest X-rays! 

An MRI does not have the radiation issues like a CT scan, but another recent study has shown when there is an increase MRI availability, there is a higher incidence of spinal surgery! This may be bad news for patients, since previous studies have found that increased surgery rates do not improve patient outcomes. “The worry is that many people will not benefit from the surgery, so heading in this direction is concerning,” said senior author Laurence Baker, Ph.D., professor of health research and policy at the Stanford University School of Medicine.