Which has more radiation?

penelope · 03-16-2008, 09:04 AM

A bone scan, MRI, or regular Xray????

Anyone know?

AlaskaAngel · 03-16-2008, 09:13 AM

A bone scan.

AlaskaAngel

Jean · 03-16-2008, 09:32 AM

Penelope,
MRI is performed via magnetic resonance imaging. The MRI scan uses
magnetic and radio waves, so this means there is NO exposue to X-rays
or any other damaging forms of radiation.

The bone densisty scan, (DEXA) is less than the amount of
radiation in a chest X-ray (which is sometimes compared to the amount of extra radiation you'd get from the sun if you lived for a short time at high altitudes).

Kind Regards,
jean

AlaskaAngel · 03-16-2008, 09:40 AM

Jean, please do NOT take this comment personally as it is not intended so.

There are 2 kinds of radiology procedures for the bones that are often confused by patients. One is a DEXA scan, and the other is more generally called a "bone" scan. The DEXA scan measures bone density, and the "bone scan" is used to show hot spots.

A DEXA scan is not the same thing as a bone scan.

A bone scan uses much more rads than a simple x-ray.

-AlaskaAngel

Jean · 03-16-2008, 10:10 AM

AA,
Please relax, I am not offended....Your correction was right on.
When I read the post I was only thinking bone density....did not
realize Penelope was referring to a bone scan...

I am glad I went into detail for her that it was a DEXA since I thought
that was what she wanted to know... I misunderstood.

That is what is so wonderful about our site, there is always someone there to cover us.... I believe this is what we are all about! Being there for each other.

Kind Regards,
Jean

penelope · 03-16-2008, 03:59 PM

thanks ladies. So it is safe to say that a MRI has no radiation in it?

AlaskaAngel · 03-16-2008, 04:31 PM

"RadiologyInfo™ is the public information Web site developed and funded by the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). It was established to inform and educate the public about radiologic procedures and the role of radiologists in healthcare, and to improve communications between physicians and their patients."

For info on MRI:

http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/site...odal=MR&bhcp=1

For info on other procedures with radiation:

http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/safe...p=1&bhhash=1#2

AnneRM · 03-16-2008, 06:45 PM

Since last fall my port-a-cath does not have a blood return. The first two times tI was sent to vascular to check position. It was ok. But since then they have been taking a chest x-ray everytime to check. This also makes for a long day. In December it took them almost 2 hours to read the x-ray. Having a x-ray every 3 weeks can't been good for you.

So far I have had 1 bone scan, 2 MRI (5 ? spots on other breast), 1 CT of the brain (and they found one lol), 3 mugas, 3 ultra sounds. (2 on the leg one on chest and arm), 2 vascular procedues, and 5 chest x-rays. I have 4 more Herceptin treatments left.

Peace and blessing to you all.
Anne

Right Mastectomy December 15/06.
3.5 cm tumor in breast
1/16 lumphnotes 3 cm
Started Chemo in January 2007
3 rounds of CEF
3 rounds of Taxotere
No radiation
Started Herceptin in June 2007