Answer to Question #2114 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Q

I recently had an x ray done from my hips to my ankles on both legs. I was told that I couldn't wear a lead protector. I am not pregnant, but I am very concerned about the risks of FUTURE fertility problems and birth defects from being exposed to radiation through two x rays without a lead protector. I would very much appreciate some assistance in my quest for answers. Thank you.

A

You did not provide your age or your planned schedule for having children. Thus this answer must be in general terms. Leaded aprons for patient protection were recommended many years ago. At that time, film systems required rather large exposures. X-ray beams were frequently not restricted to the area being imaged. Thus, sensitive organs such as ovaries may have been included in x-ray beams aimed for other areas, such as your legs. At present, imaging systems, whether film or digital, are much more sensitive and require much smaller doses. Regulations in place for more than 20 years require that x-ray beams be restricted to the area being imaged. That means that organs outside the area being imaged receive only scattered radiation, the intensity of which is greatly reduced from that of the primary beam. Using current technology, the dose to your ovaries from imaging your legs is immeasurably small whether a leaded apron is used or not. There is no measurable reduction when the apron is added. Further, the radiation dose required to impair future fertility is hundreds, if not thousands, of times greater than you received from imaging your legs.


Conclusion: There is no reason for concern regarding future children resulting from your radiation exposure.

S. Julian Gibbs, DDS, PhD