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16 March 2010

Answer to Question #2432 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Medical and Dental Patient Issues — Diagnostic X Ray and CT

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

I recently had a bone density scan and the technician scanned my hip region five full times in an effort to "get the spine straight". She scanned my hip region three full times because she felt the machine was "jumping off" the viewed area. From what I've read and been told the radiation level in a BMD scan is low, but I'm concerned that my experience has increased that to a risky level. What would your assessment of multiple scans be?

At our institution, we have three types of these scanners, and we have found that the doses vary somewhat between them. Let me give you the numbers for our machines, they may or may not correspond well to the machine that was used for your scans, but they should give you an idea of typical radiation doses inolved for these scans:

Lunar DPX-L - bone marrow, 0.01 mrem; effective whole body dose equivalent, 0.021 mrem
Lunar EXPERT - bone marrow, 90 mrem; effective whole body dose equivalent, 40 mrem
Lunar PRODIGY - bone marrow, 19 mrem; effective whole body dose equivalent, 8.3 mrem

By comparison, we all receive around 300 mrem each year from exposure to natural sources of radiation in the environment. I hope that this information is helpful to you.

Michael G. Stabin, PhD, CHP

Answer posted on 9 April 2003. The information and material posted on this Web site is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Web site. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.