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Answer to Question #2720 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"Category: Pregnancy and Radiation — Exposures not directly to embryo/fetus The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field: Q
Could any harm be done to a developing follicle (prior to
ovulation) if you were to conceive during that cycle from having both a
chest x ray and chest CT scan on days five and seven of your cycle,
respectively? Would you recommend waiting to try until the next cycle
after these tests were performed? I was diagnosed with two melanomas
approximately eight months ago and while both were thin, my
dermatologist ordered a chest x ray to rule out any spreading. The
chest x ray revealed an area of opacity near my second rib on the right
side under my collarbone. Therefore they need to get a better look and
are going to perform a chest CT scan tomorrow. I did not wear any kind
of lead apron during the chest x ray but I am going to request one now
for the chest CT scan. I have suffered three first trimester
miscarriages in the last year and have just been cleared by my
reproductive endocrinologist to try again this cycle. They have not
been able to find any cause for my recurrent miscarriages after
extensive testing. I did discuss the chest x ray and the chest CT scan
with my reproductive endocrinologist and he indicated that he did not
believe they would cause any harm at this point in my cycle.
A
That's a good question . . . and, hopefully, you'll find this to be a
positive answer. There should be no effects from the chest x ray or the
chest CT scan. The risks to the baby are minimal, if any, when x rays
are taken of areas other than the abdomen. This is because the x-ray
beam is focused only on the area of interest in order to minimize doses
to other areas of the body. When you receive a diagnostic x-ray study
of your head, teeth, chest, arms, or legs at a qualified facility, the
exposure of the x rays is not to your baby. The "scatter" that might
reach the baby would be extremely small and would not represent an
increased risk for birth defects or miscarriage to your embryo.
For some additional information, you can visit the Web site titled, "Prenatal Risk Assessment, Keeping Your Unborn Baby Health Through Prevention."
Kelly Classic Certified Medical Health Physicist
Answer posted on 8 July 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.
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