Repeated CT scans are risky to life

Talking to a gathering of doctors, Dr. Nikhil Kapoor, Chief Radiologist, Moolchand Medcity and Padmashri & Dr. B.C. Roy National Awardee, Dr. KK Aggarwal, President Heart Care Foundation of India, in a joint statement said that CT scan involves x-ray radiation and can be harmful to the body. Unless it is essential for any diagnostic procedure one should not get repeated CT scans done on annual basis for diagnosis of certain cancers.

On the other hand, ultrasound and MRI are safe and carry no radiations. They were speaking in a seminar organized by Homeopathic Cardiologists of India along with Board of Medical Education, Moolchand Medcity.

The experts said that MRI and CT scan are not inter-changeable diagnostic procedures.

Dr. Anupam Sethi Malhotra, President, Homeopathic Cardiologists of India, said that it has now become important for homeopaths to understand all about imaging modalities and their interpretations.

Contrast imaging which was earlier used with x-ray is now available for ultrasound and echocardiography. 30 per cent of patients do not have a good heart window of routine echocardiography. In these cases, using special ultrasound contract can prevent angiography and other cath procedures.