A CT or CAT scan is the informal name for computerized tomography, which combines many X-ray images from different angles into a cross-sectional or even 3-D image of the body, according to MayoClinic.com. This computer-enhanced image provides far more detail than regular X-rays of the bones, organs and other tissues inside the body. It is used to diagnose and treat a number of illnesses and injuries throughout the body, but it carries more risks than a standard X-ray.
Radiation Risks
A CT scan exposes a patient to far more radiation than a standard X-ray, according to MayoClinic.com. A CT scan of the head exposes a patient to about the same amount of radiation as 100 standard chest X-rays, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. A CT scan of the abdomen carries the same radiation risk as about 400 standard chest X-rays. That may increase the risk of cancer developing during the patient's lifetime, though not all experts agree that it does, reports the FDA. The increase in risk from a single CT scan is likely to be very small, according to the FDA, perhaps about 1 in 2000 if the scan delivers 10 millisieverts of radiation. MayoClinic.com advices pregnant patients to alert their doctor so alternatives like MRI or ultrasound can be investigated to avoid exposing the baby to radiation.
Risks in Children
Children are more susceptible to the adverse effects of radiation, according to the FDA. They also have a longer life expectancy, which increases the chance of a cancer or other serious health problem developing over time. For this reason, accumulated radiation doses from multiple scans are more likely to cause health problems at some point in a child's life. Children are more likely to get an unnecessarily large dose of radiation from a CT scan than adults because of their smaller size. The FDA has notified health workers they should adjust the settings on CT scans for children and small adults to minimize these risks by reducing the radiation dose as much as possible.
Contrast Material Risks
Some CT scans require the use of a special dye to enhance the image and a few people are allergic to this dye, according to MayoClinic.com. Most of the time, the allergy is mild and causes only itching or a rash, but in some people, it can be severe and even life-threatening. Patients who have a history of allergic reactions to the contrast material in previous tests are at particular risk and should alert their doctor. People with heart disease, asthma, diabetes, kidney disease and thyroid disorders are at a higher risk of having a bad reaction to the dye.
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